By Nicola Luksic Source: The Varsity

TORONTO (CUP) - The federal government recently gave the Toronto

Olympic bid committee

the financial thumbs-up at

aceremony at the University of Toronto’s (U of T) athletic centre.

Heritage minister

Sheila Copps signed

* over Ottawa’s

backing, adding that it will be willing to provide an estimated $50 million-in service support.

STUDENT

UNION

ELECTIONS

ADVANCED POLLS March 20, 21

REGULAR POLLS March 22, 23

-NOMINATIONS RUN FROM MONDAY FEB. 28 TO NOON ON FRIDAY MARCH 3. PICK UP YOUR NOMINATION FORMS AT THE BARN. -CAMPAIGNING RUNS FROM MARCH 3 TO MARCH 19, -GENERAL MEETING IN THE

PIT MARCH 15 WITH

CANDIDATE SPEECHES. -CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR VALADICTORIAN

for more info stop by the barn or e-mail us at studentu@upei.ca

“Tt’sreally appropriate that the press conference was held ina locale that exemplifies what the Olympic spirit is about,” said Bruce Kidd, U of T’s dean of the faculty of physical education and health.

Kidd is also chair of the Legacy and Community Enhancement Committee for the Olympic bid team.

But there’s much more to Toronto’s Olympic bid than spirit, says UofT professor and community activist David Hulchanski, who worries the Olympics will bea distraction from more pressing city concerns.

“Ts [the Olympics] really a priority?” asked Hulchanski, who isa professor of housing and community development. “I’m worried that this will consume everyone’ s attention, time and money. Even having to talk about it and think about it isa waste.”

Hulchanski is

- Particularly

concerned that in hosting the massive event, at an estimated cost of $2.69-billion, the needs of lower- income city dwellers will be ignored.

“We want to ensure that those

fears aren’t realized,” replied Kidd, noting that a social impact assessment was recently handed to Toronto City Council.

The report recommends that the Council come up with aresidence bill of rights and arent control system that would dampen the population strain that the city would likely face if it wins the bid race.

Hulchanski is not convinced.

“How do they know there will beno evictions?” he said. “Great promises

were made in Sydney [Australia, for this year’s summer Olympics], but look where they are now.”

Recent statistics point out that rent in Sydney has recently climbed by an average of 23 percent. “Students will be affected by the tightening of the housing market,” predicted Hulchanski.

Other blips have popped into Sydney’s Olympic plans. The actual cost of hosting the Olympics turned out to be $1.8-billion greater than what was proposed in the original budget.

Some of the more weighty costs for Toronto’s bid include a $623- village and a $150- million broadcast

centre.

“Once you're into it, there’s no going back,” said Hulchanski. “I’m not against the Olympics, but this is not the time to go for it.”

Toronto City Council recently approved a plan to bid for the Olympics. The decision puts the city up against nearly adozen competitors, including Paris and Beijing.

The race itself will likely cost up to $25-million, according to Kidd. A decision by the International Olympic

Committee is expected by July 2001. Students and the U of T community, says Kidd, will benefit from improved sporting facilities. “I would hope we would get some facility upgrades,” he said, adding that there will also be opportunities for students to participate in hands- — on research oriented projects with the arrival of the games.

Kidd recognizes there will beplentyofcampus ., interest if the bid goes through. “One of the things we need to do is have acampus- wide conference,” he said, adding that he and the bid committee welcome all input.