Olympic Games debate at VIU Feb. 16

The Olympics Games are worth it, true or false?

Four faculty members in Vancouver Island University’s Recreation and Tourism department will engage in a lively and entertaining public debate on that topic Tuesday, Feb. 16.

“The Olympic Games are the largest multi-sport event on the planet and it’s important for the public to better understand both the pros and cons of hosting the Olympics,” said Tourism professor Dr. Wayne Peolo.

“Our faculty agreed an Olympic debate would be of interest to the public and VIU community because it’s a mega tourism event for BC, and mega-events such as the Olympics do not come without controversy about the investments required from the public purse and the associated spinoffs.”

Dr. Bob Pfister and Dr. Tom Delamere will argue in favour of the Olympic Games while Peolo and Dr. Aggie Weighill will provide the opposing argument.

“The game is on!” said Pfister.  “In the spirit of competition, we don’t want to reveal our pro-Olympic arguments but I will say our position will be full of quips and observations. We’re going to have fun while discussing a very serious and topical issue.”

Audience members will be encouraged to join the debate at the end of the opening and closing arguments, and there will be opportunities for questions.

The Olympic debate is the second in a new speakers series launched by the Recreation and Tourism Research Institute at VIU.

“The purpose of the speakers series is to introduce people to both sides of issues such as the Olympics and stimulate discussion and debate that extends beyond the limited or biased information available to the public,” said Tourism professor Dr. Nicole Vaugeois.

“The debate format is a good one to provide a structured way for discussion. I am really excited about this debate as it will profile some of my colleagues who are experts in the realities of mega-events such as the Olympics. Everyone will go away learning something new, which is what universities are all about.”

For Weighill, the value of the debate is that it encourages people to move beyond the headlines and emotions that accompany the hosting of any mega-event.

“As a faculty member – particularly one who studies sport tourism – I feel that it is VIU’s responsibility to help make sense of mixed messages that continually bombard our students and members of our communities,” she said.

“We must move beyond the assumption that the Olympics are entirely good or bad and that everything we read, see, or hear is grounded in unbiased fact. The reality is that many of the questions people want answered today have never been researched or we only have answers from the Summer Olympics, a completely different beast.”

There are two more speaker series events coming up in March which will also feature cutting-edge tourism and recreation industry issues. Check the VIU events page to stay posted at www.viu.ca.

Meanwhile, the Olympic debate takes place in Building 250, room 125, on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 4:30 to 5 pm. The event is free and includes refreshments. For further information contact Nicole Vaugeois at 250.753.3245 Ext. 2772.