Mark Patrick photo Richmond’’s Sprit of B.C. committee is counting down the days to the Olympics and next Friday’s opening celebrations party at Aberdeen Centre. Among those on hand at last Thurday’s announcement declaring tomorrow Olympic Day in Richmond were Ed Gavsie, Coun. Bill McNulty, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Thomas Fung, Coun. Cynthia Chen and Coun. Linda Barnes.
Aberdeen to host celebration on 08.08.08
By Don Fennell - Richmond Review
Published: August 07, 2008 5:00 PM
The chairman of Richmond’s Spirit of B.C. committee is anxiously awaiting tomorrow. So’s the entire team.
It’s the launch of the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China (Aug. 8 to 24), and being 08.08.08 and the significance of the number eight—good luck and good fortune in the Chinese culture—the Spirit of B.C. Committee along with Aberdeen Centre is hosting a special ceremony including a big screen viewing of the opening ceremonies.
The Games’ opening ceremonies are planned to actually begin at exactly eight seconds after 8 a.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year of the millennium.
“This celebration (at Aberdeen mall) is going to range from a tai chi demonstration to an appearance by the mascots who are going to get up on stage and dance,” says Gavsie.
Gavsie says the idea behind the Spirit of B.C. is to engage the community around the positive spirit of the coming 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
“As Richmond is a host city, the site of the long track speed skating events at the new oval, we felt by holding an opening event for Beijing, we could build excitement for 2010,” he explains.
The fun at Aberdeen begins with a free pancake breakfast at 5 a.m. Other festivities, including an Olympic-themed fashion show presented by The Bay, begin at 6:30 a.m. and continue until 10 a.m. You’ll also have a chance to meet past and present Richmond Olympians and Paralympians.
