Olympic Torch Relay - Mississauga - Abuse of the Olympic Torch

Yes - you have come to the right place for the like you were there experience. Pictures from here & there, close-up and whole room. The media has not covered this in a way that most people would want and to be informed by. So, citizen reporter Donald Barber to the rescue!

The Abuse of the Olympic Torch

This web-page was put up originally to just record the passing of the Olympic Torch through our community - until I heard a politician had carried the torch and brought shame to all Mississaugans. What I have done, is in the hopes it will protect the Olympics from more political abuses.

An official complaint has been filed.

A submission to the Mississauga Judicial Inquiry as this stinks in more than one way.

A letter to media & a version was printed in the Mississauga News.

A list from the media people and lists both sponsors (Coca-Cola & RBC), torchbearers and those chosen by the VANOC.

There is a GO parking lot just to the south.
In front of that parking lot would have been a better for the relay,
why was it not done there?

The Abuse of the Olympic Torch

- Just because Hazel McCallion carried the Olympic Torch doesn't mean she has been reviewed by International Olympic Committee and endorsed as an Olympic class - well, anything! -

A letter to media & a version was printed in the Mississauga News.

An official complaint has been filed.

A submission to the Mississauga Judicial Inquiry as this stinks in more ways then one.

Related news articles;

City wants Olympic torch run
Mississauga News - Sept. 11, 2009 - By Dominik Kurek - "what $100,000 would buy" - for one, a chance for Hazel McCallion to run the Olympic torch and fool people into thinking she has some kind of Olympic endorsement.

Mayor to carry the torch
Mississauga News - Nov. 27, 2009 - By Radhika Panjwani - "the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) declared her an official torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics" - I understand that the Mississauga Olympic Torch Committee did not decide the Mayor should carry the torch, RBC did.

Torch bearers ready to run
Mississauga News - Dec. 14, 2009 - By Julie Slack - "Coca-Cola and RBC chose 12,000 torchbearers who had applied earlier this year. ... RBC chose people who made it their personal pledge to do something small or large in their daily lives that will make Canada an even better place to live." - Want to know more about this.

The flame is here
Mississauga News - Dec. 19, 2009 - By Louie Rosella - "Mayor Hazel McCallion drew massive applause when she carried the torch for about 400 metres during the morning relay." - "All the torch bearers will carry the flame a distance of 300 metres" - which is right?

Olympic flame touches city
Mississauga News - Dec. 19, 2009 - By Louie Rosella - Same story as above but with a picture of Hazel McCallion & on the front page!

Olympic flame touches city (- 2)
Mississauga News - Dec. 19, 2009 - By Debbie Bruce - "a ‘Special Olympian’, Hazel McCallion then took to the stage, ...The crowd erupted in applause, even chanting Hazel’s name repeatedly." - An Olympic sized election event for Hazel McCallion!

Pass that torch
Mississauga News - Dec. 30, 2009 - Letter by Donald Barber - Not just a letter but a full protest, including; An official complaint has been filed & A submission to the Mississauga Judicial Inquiry as this stinks in more than one way.

Just to show how low public opinion is regarding the idea of a politician carrying the
Olympic Torch here a political cartoon from the Toronto Star, Dec. 30, 2009.
Showing Prime Minister Stephen Harper - who we love to hate.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)
ATTN: Jacques Rogge - President.
Château de Vidy
Case postale 356
1001 Lausanne, Switzerland

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) - Vancouver Office
ATTN: John Furlong - Chief Executive Officer.
ATTN: Rusty Goepel - Chairman.
ATTN: Michael Chambers - Canadian Olympic Committee.
#400 – 3585 Graveley Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V5K 5J5

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
ATTN: Client Care Centre.
PO Box 1 , Royal Bank Plaza
Toronto , Ont. M5J 2J5

City of Mississauga - Office of the City Clerk
ATTN: Shalini Alleluia - Council Coordinator [Please enclose on the next Council Agenda]
300 City Centre Drive., Mississauga, Ont. L5B 3C1

RE: Formal complaint regarding the conduct of an official sponsor of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay program,
the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and an Olympic Torchbearer Mayor Hazel McCallion.

Dear Sir: Dec. 24, 2009

On Dec. 19, 2009, in the Canadian City of Mississauga, the current Mayor - Hazel McCallion - carried the Olympic Torch as bearer 073, whose picture was splashed all over the front page of the Mississauga News and prominent coverage by other media. For Hazel McCallion to be an Olympic Torchbearer appears to be a direct violation of the Olympic Charter - “To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes;”. This will be presented to the City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry.

- 1 - ....2

It has been reported that on Nov. 27, 2009, Mayor Hazel McCallion Royal Bank of Canada declared the Mayor an official torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics for Mississauga, at the official tree-lighting ceremony. At which time it was well known that the Mayor of Mississauga was to be subjected to an Inquiry, appearing before a Justice of the Superior Court of Justice regarding business dealing she and her family have been involved in. It is also known that Hazel McCallion will be running for another term of office as far back as Aug.12, 2009. It is logical that she ran the Olympic Torch to further her political career by trying to impress voters that she'll make it through another 4 year term, (she is soon to be 89).

As official sponsors for the 2010 Winter Games, the Royal Bank of Canada should well know the Olympic Charter and any other terms and conditions to being a sponsor of an Olympic event to ensure the public doesn’t see politicians abusing it, to gain from it. That would be a return to the bad (not so long ago), old days of International Olympic Committee scandals. As Hazel McCallion would be gaining by not following the rules, people can wonder what would motive RBC or gain in return for its non-compliance? The Mayor’s name was left off the RBC web-site list for those who ran that day - why, cover-up? RBC is one of the big Canadian financial institutions - could they be involved in McCallion family deals or otherwise trading favours? This needs to be investigated, just as doping in athletes is. So, correct me if I am wrong - that according to the Olympic Charter, a seating politician who have declared they will seek office again and especially those who are to appear before a judge to do some explaining regarding Conflict of Interest, (which would be the second time for Hazel, guilty the first time!), should not be allowed to be a torchbearer. Because if I am wrong - then every politician under the sun (or rock) - now should be able to take the torch from a more wrothly persons for their own self promotion and a means to a political end.

The official sponsors for the 2010 Winter Games like to use words like “played an active role in establishing nation-building programs”, “create a better Canada”, and “building Canada’s legacy”. However, there could be more concerns about money or “mutually rewarding partnerships ” then sport - “VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport.” After all, how is promoting a politician like Hazel McCallion (and there is far more then noted here), making Canada a better place?

If it is found that Mayor Hazel McCallion should not have run, then there needs to be a public apology from the Torch Relay organizers and the Mayor. She should also return all she has been given for her participation in the Torch relay.

I would also like to complaint about not being able to find a complete list of runners names, numbers and where they ran. Even when I got a list from the media centre, it didn’t have all the names. The name of the City of Mississauga was not listed in some lists. The security van clearly has a video camera on it recording all those who attend the relay but no warning signs that this is happening to them and people should be warned. If organizers feel it will put a damper on Olympic spirit - then don’t do it!

I am willing to discuss my letter with you and there is an answering machine you can leave a detailed private message on. My phone number is (905) ***-**** & E-mail donbar@arvotek.net.

Sincerely yours; cc. To all addressed & Media.

City of Mississauga Judicial Inquiry - Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP Barristers
ATTN: Justice J. Douglas Cunningham - Superior Court of Justice, Commissioner.
130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2600
Toronto, Ont. M5H 3P5

RE: Facts that could relate to the Mississauga Inquiry, involving the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and an
Olympic Torchbearer Mayor Hazel McCallion.

Dear Sir: Dec. 29, 2009

Sincerely yours; Donald Barber - Editor.

Why has the Royal Bank of Canada left the name of Hazel McCallion
off from their listing of runners for Dec. 16, 2009?
They sponsored her to be in the torch relay - Cover-up?

These images were made Dec. 23, 2009, from the RBC web-site that should list the Olympic Torch relay runners for that day.
I can't see Hazel McCallion's name - WHY?

VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
This list is from the media people and lists both sponsors (Coca-Cola & RBC), torchbearers and those chosen by the VANOC.
The list is by runner number and still doesn't have them all - where is #.130?