Now that the torch has been passed to Sochi, Russia, locals in charge of Callaghan Valley's Whistler Olympic Park are calling the Nordic venue a big and long-lasting success.
The venue, which hosted about 15,000 spectators, athletes and workers per day through 30 competitions between Feb. 12 and 28, was spared many of the logistical nightmares experienced by places like Cypress Mountain and Whistler Creekside. The valley had plenty of snow and the area experienced clear weather for the most part.
The men's Nordic combined individual large hill event on Feb. 25 was criticised for being unfair due to changing winds that put some top ski jumpers, including French World Cup leader and normal hill gold medalist Jason Lamy Chappuis, at disadvantages heading into the cross-county portion with significant handicaps.
麻豆社国产resident and VANOC ski jumping and Nordic combined manager John Heilig admitted the weather conditions were unfortunate but impossible to negate completely.
"It's the reality of ski jumping and Nordic combined that there is a little bit of twist of fate. It's an outdoor sport and, at times, you either benefit or don't benefit," said Heilig, who was not part of the technical jury that made the decision to continue the event, but has played the role in past competitions.
"Being in the jury is an extremely challenging position to be in when you get those types of conditions. It's almost always impossible to win."
Some skiers also complained about the heavy, wet snow conditions on the cross-country courses. But Whistler Olympic Park director John Aalberg said the athletes are responsible for preparing for the conditions specific to every field of play. For instance, Marik Bjoergen returned to Norway with three golds, one silver and a bronze medal after having visited the venue on three separate occasions leading up the Winter Games, said Aalberg.
"You could really tell the difference between those that had been here and knew what to experience versus those that just showed up for the Games," he said.
Although the Olympics are over, preparation for the Paralympics is in full swing. This week, crews were busy changing the stadium to accommodate cross-country and biathlon events incorporating equipment like sit-skis.
Aalberg is returning to his native country of Norway when VANOC hands the venue over to the Whistler 2010 Sports Legacy group this spring. He has been named director of sport for next winter's Nordic World Championships, which is expected to host 30,000 spectators per day versus the 5,000 visiting Whistler Olympic Park during the Olympics. But he plans to return to 麻豆社国产after a year, he said, as he hopes to contribute to the growth of Nordic sports in the area.
"I think it's a natural fit that 麻豆社国产is using this venue," he said. "It's just the natural thing to do and very important thing to do for the legacy of this venue as well as sports in the Sea to Sky."
Heilig is staying in 麻豆社国产with his family after the Paralympics are over and will continue as a board member for the Callaghan Winter Sports Club, which is designed to promote and run Nordic programs at Whistler Olympic Park. He said local volunteers played a huge role in running the Olympics, with between 40 and 50 per cent residing in Squamish.
"To me, the role that 麻豆社国产played and all the volunteers we had from 麻豆社国产and the legacy we've created in people here, that's what I dreamed of on day one," said Heilig.
"That we'd have this community's involvement and create a real human legacy here, and I really think we did that."
