The Olympia - our backstory It might surprise you to learn that in 2004 Olympic organizations demanded that we change our signs and the imagery we use on our menus, windows, pizza boxes, and even our napkins. They claimed we had no right to continue using the imagery we've had on the outside of our restaurant and windows for 20 years. The reality though is that we were here first - two decades ago. We've paid taxes and license fees according to city regulations. To this day in late 2009 we still have no idea if VANOC will approach us again and threaten that if we don't comply they will petition a judge to prevent us from doing business as usual - maybe even at the last minute just before the Games begin in February 2010. The Olympia is a small family-owned restaurant and we are very proud of the ties we have with our community. Many people in Vancouver know us, and they seem to love us too judging by the good wishes of 6,500+ people from around the world who signed our petition and gave us support. Many tell us to stand firm for what we believe, which gives us confidence. Without support we might have given up long ago like so many others who have been pressured unfairly by Olympic organizations. I'm a small business person - a host and restaurateur. I love my work and the people who come to our restaurant. My family and partners were all very happy when we heard Vancouver and Whistler would host the Olympics. Our restaurant is small, and as many of you know we are often busy, but Olympics or not, we can only sell so many souvlaki dinners or pizza. We're not going to get rich because of the Olympics, in fact the opposite is probably more likely when you factor in the incredible stress our region has suffered the last six years as we rebuilt our city to prepare for the Games. Taxes skyrocketed to pay for the new infrastructure and facilities, and before that land values and rents shot up too. I'm not complaining, just saying that everyone in Vancouver is contributing and paying dearly for the 2010 Olympics. We NOW know that relatively speaking, businesses located outside the official Olympic zones (95% of the city) won't see that much spectator traffic, if any, which means we are paying for the Olympics but we're not invited to the PARTY. It's a fact only recently and finally reported by local newspapers and television, some of whom also happen to be Olympic partners. It would have been nice to learn this information years ago so shopkeepers would have known up front what to expect and how to prepare. Heard enough? Click to COMMENT... or keep reading ... We've operated with our signs and imagery for twenty years, and when the big business Olympic machine came to town they rudely insisted, without even asking ... listening ... or considering our perspective, that we change our business and lives to suit them - many said we were being bullied. The demands we received without warning from COC Olympic lawyers were arrogant, rude and intimidating. They didn't even have the courtesy to address it to anyone in particular - just Olympia owner! We immediately contacted local politicians for help, and except for Jim Green, they ignored us. We initially thought the IOC would be happy we brought the Spirit of the Games to our corner of the city and that we were showing support. In the beginning it was difficult to understand their reasoning, but today, half a decade after they started putting undue pressure on us, I now realize greed plays a role in their motivation, and it saddens me. I regarded the Olympics as a philanthropic peace promoting organization, and in some ways it still is. Unfortunately, it's becoming clear to not only me, but to millions of others there is something not so pure beneath the surface. I still love the sporting aspect of the Olympics, and in fact I voted for the Olympics, but today I'm disappointed with the hidden political agenda of Olympic organizations. The TICKETING SCANDAL alone is a good indication the IOC no longer treats Olympic fans with the respect they deserve. When the Olympics first tried to force us into submission I talked to a lawyer and he said, "I won't be taking on any clients regarding Olympic related issues. The small company always gets bullied and doesn't have the money to fight back - then I'm left with an unhappy client who doesn't have any options." His statement made sense when social media and blogs weren't popular. Today things are different. Facebook and Twitter tip the scales and it is now easier to engage the world and have people, like you, weigh in with your opinions. The proof is that you're reading this message and some of you haven't even arrived in Vancouver. Fortunately, a lawyer did come forward relatively quickly to help us. Joe Arvay is well known for helping companies like ours defend against unfair intimidation by large corporations. Joe gives us excellent advice. We also have a media company helping us keep track of and manage all the stress this issue generates. Area46 Media Communications has considerable knowledge of social media and global promotion, and more importantly knows how business like ours have been mistreated in past Olympic regions. They actually wrote a book about the Vancouver Olympics and how businesses like ours would be impacted. They described our situation in detail and published our story way back in 2006. Plus, a well respected UBC professor, Cindy Stewart, also documented our plight since it began and published three detailed case studies in booklet form in 2005, 2006, and 2007 describing the challenges and intimidation we've experienced. We have lawyers, PR, academics, and most importantly you, our community standing alongside us. Today things are much different compared to when our challenge first began. Most people however are surprised to learn we are still under threat from VANOC and Olympic organizations. In the beginning Olympic organizations intimidated us by threatening they would shut us down if we didn't comply with their non-negotiable demands. At first, we offered to cover our sign and close down during the 2010 Olympics, but they said no. It was their way or no way. They treated us like an enemy and used news media to try and turn the community against us. It didn't work because the community was firmly behind us from the very start, and they still back us - thank you! How Olympic organizations treat us is similar to how they treat women ski jumpers who simply want a chance to compete like men at 2010. In both our cases the IOC and VANOC continuously finger point and claim it is the other causing our grief. The IOC says it is VANOC's fault and VANOC says it is the IOC's fault. John Furlong, CEO VANOC, at one point said he would help us if he could, but he was powerless and had to bow to the whims of the IOC. Now that a BC Supreme Court judge ruled the IOC has no jurisdiction in Canada respective of women ski jumpers and Canada's Charter of Rights, and that the ball is in VANOC's court to do the right thing, Furlong doesn't step up. Meanwhile we, and women ski jumpers are stuck in the middle. On another note, many people in Vancouver are disappointed how the Olympics negatively impact the homeless in our city. I realize the Olympics isn't the root cause of homelessness, but it is clear to everyone who lives in Vancouver that Olympic hype adds to the stress and is the catalyst for gentrification. It is now common knowledge that in Beijing, 1.5 million people were displaced from their homes to make way for the 2008 Olympics, and the same thing happened in Vancouver, but of course to a much lesser degree. Since the Games came to Vancouver thousands more now live on the streets. It happens like this in almost all Olympic regions. I fully agree the recession also had an impact, but it would have been humane for VANOC to at least give our city a heads up before so many citizens hit the wall, instead, all along they want you to believe the Olympics has no impact on the homeless. Do you believe? In general, it would be responsible of VANOC to act proactively and not always have to be embarrassed or forced into doing the right thing. It's not as if they don't know these challenges will occur. Just recently an IOC executive, René Fasel said that the $500 ticket price per day at 2010 Olympics Hockey House is justified because it provides a safe and quiet place to view the 2010 Olympics. Fasel quickly backtracked when he realized he implied (and inadvertently confirmed what many thought) that it is not safe in other Olympic areas. We agree. Questionable safety is a good reason to stay away from over-crowded "O" zones, and party instead on Denman where the crowds won't be as crazy or dangerous. Unfortunately, our restaurant still operates under the threat that at any time VANOC or the IOC could show up unannounced and try to shut the Olympia down. We have been under this pressure for five years. How would you feel if you had to live and work under these conditions? If you have any suggestions to improve the Olympics please click here to COMMENT ... Sincerely, Mosi Alvand Co-Owner The Olympia Restaurant 998 Denman, Vancouver