btvancouver

It’s an Olympic-first!

The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler — are the very first games to have a Pride House catered towards gays and lesbians who are taking part in the Olympics and watching the competitions, too.

While there aren’t any specific numbers on gays and lesbians competing in Vancouver and Whistler — there are many of them. But not all of them are publicly “out” with their sexuality. And that could be for a number of reasons. They’re not ready to take that step. They fear it could potentially damange their chances in judged competitions. They fear rejection from their colleagues. And in many countries taking part in the 2010 Olympics, homosexuality is outlawed.

The Pride House is a venue for everyone to feel welcomed and accepted at the Olympics. And it’s been a very popular venue in Whistler. It’s going to stay up and running in both Vancouver and Whistler until after the Paralympics end on March 21st. Then there are plans to continue this legacy at future Olympics — like in London in 2012. For more information on the Pride House — visit this website.

I had a chance to talk with Mark Tewksbury the other day. He is most famous for winning the Gold Medal for Team Canada back in 1992 at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. But when Mark was competing — he was holding back a very deep secret. Mark is gay. And he didn’t tell anyone for fears it would affect his chances at owning the podium. Mark went public with his sexuality in 1998. And is a huge advocate for gays and lesbians competing in sports. We ran some of my interview with Mark this morning on Breakfast Television — and also showed you the Whistler Pride House. Take a look at one of my live segments from this morning.

I’m off to Vancouver for a couple of days. But will be live once again in Whistler on Monday morning — as we look back at the Closing Ceremonies. And look ahead to what’s next for this community.

Have a great weekend! And enjoy what’s left of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler!

K

Good Morning from Whistler!

The snow has once again started to fall up here — and it’s slowly starting to feel like winter once again.

All eyes will be watching the big hockey game this afternoon between Canada and Russia. Hopefully the boys can pull off their much-needed win.

And a great accomplishment from Whistler gal Ashleigh McIvor who took the Gold medal in Women’s Ski Cross yesterday at Cypress Mountain. Here’s hoping our athletes can add more medals to our collection later today.

This morning we gave you a “behind the scenes” look at the broadcasting operations up here in Whistler. Check it out!

Have a great day!

K

Team Canada has FINALLY won a medal up here in Whistler. And it was worth the wait! GOLD for Manitoba’s Jon Montgomery on Friday night in the Men’s Skeleton. What an amazing accomplishment! He is the talk of the town up here in Whistler. I was out with some friends on Friday night and the buzz in the Village following Montgomery’s win was incredible!

He was asked to describe what it’s like to do the Skeleton. And Jon’s response was “Get in your car. Get up to 140 km/hr. Open the door. And stick your face within an inch of the ground.” Okay. Good enough for me!

I was out for dinner with friends in the VIllage on Saturday night — and we managed to catch Montgomery’s gold medal ceremony. It was awesome. The Village came to a standstill with everyone watching every television monitor available. And all of us burst out together — singing O’Canada at the top of our lungs — with lots of cheers and applause. It was an awesome feeling. And something we haven’t experienced in Whistler until now.

The weather has been totally amazing for the last week. I went to the top of Whistler on Friday afternoon and took the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for my very first time. The views are breathtaking. Definitely something to do when you come up to Whistler — in the winter or summer.

Like many of you — I’ll be watching Canada vs the USA this afternoon. GO CANADA GO!

See you on Breakfast Television tomorrow morning — live from Whistler Village!

K

What the heck is going on up here!? We’re into day seven of competition, and still no medals for Canadians competing up here in Whistler!

I went to the Barenaked Ladies concert in the Village Plaza last night. And what a great show! Those guys are true professionals who always keep the crowd entertained. Some great “oldies” — and some of their newer stuff, too. All in all — a great concert. And a fantastic turnout, too. The Village plaza was PACKED with people last night.

Our Lady Peace also performed at the Victory Ceremony last night. I walked by during the concert — and it was also amazing. Some great artists coming to Whistler to help celebrate the Olympic spirit!

Today I’m heading down to Araxi Restaurant in the heart of Whistler Village — to check in with Dave. He was personally selected by Gordon Ramsay in the last edition of Hell’s Kitchen — to cook at Araxi during the Winter Olympics. We’ll see how he’s doing — and will show that interview to you in the coming days.

Tomorrow morning on BT — we’ll show you the Fire & Ice show that happens each night up here in Whistler. Some truly amazing talents from skiers and snowboarders doing some awesome tricks and jumps through flaming hoops! It’s quite the scene!

Have a great day! And let’s hope for a medal for Team Canada up here in Whistler, today!
K

Greetings from Whistler!  This was my first morning doing Breakfast Television on location and things went really well this morning!  The weather co-operated.  And this community is beautiful first thing in the morning.

Today, we focussed on transportation and how you can get from Vancouver to Whistler during the Olympics.  I did the Sea to Sky Highway yesterday morning and it was smooth sailing.  But once the competition starts, it will get really busy on that route.  And don’t forget about the Security Checkpoint just north of Squamish.  If you’re driving your car and don’t have a permit — you won’t get through!  My advice?  Take the bus up here!

The bus is really the way to get around Whistler, too.  It runs 24/7 (Vancouver should take notes!) and makes the village quite accessible for everyone.  They’ve added five times the normal service levels for the Olympics.  Plus drivers have been brought in from across the country to help out!  They’re all very friendly and are learning the routes really quickly — and in my opinion, doing a great job!

After BT this morning, I interviewed the Mayor of Whistler about his thoughts leading into the final stretch before the competition starts.  You’ll see that tomorrow morning on Breakfast Television.  Plus I’ll show you how Whistler became the world-class resort that it is today.

Watch one of my segments from this morning!

See you tomorrow from the Whistler Village Town Plaza!

K