Raise the Hammer

In all honesty, I don't think Hamilton even deserves to be mentioned as part of the Pan Am 2015 games at this point.

Yup. 2015 Commonwealth Games, Toronto. Period.

Have a look at the promo video on the Toronto Pan Am Games main site.

Ian Troop is front and centre. So are images and mention of Toronto, Welland, Ajax and Markham. No Hamilton. I guess Hamilton City Council couldn't decide in time on which video crew to hire to shoot our piece?

Hey, what do you expect when we're only putting up $60 million of our own money (Hamilton taxpayers that is) as part our commitment to the Games?

I guess Welland's zillion dollar investment trumped Hamilton's. That explains how they got in the video.

Truth be told, I suspect we were left out because it's still unclear (although getting clearer by each new site) whether Hamilton will even be participating.

On May 27, 2009, a single-volume Toronto 2015 bid book, complete with slip-cover, was unveiled in Toronto, in advance of the formal submission to the Pan American Sports Organization in Mexico. Though most casually speak of the Pan Am games the given, formal name of the games has always been Toronto 2015.

Hamilton is mentioned twice, once concerning security while the other mention refers to the stadium.

The logo unveiling is simply that.

Case closed.

Serendipity

I don't disagree at all with your point about the official name of the bid.

What's your take on the video and the fact that Hamilton is not even mentioned?

H&H, I think that question is best asked of David Adames and Tourism Hamilton.

It's very unfortunate that David was put anywhere near the PanAm file. Perhaps Hamilton would have been included in both the video and bid book if David had concentrated on his duties at Tourism Hamilton while a more competent manager oversaw the pan am file.

Good, we can abandon the stadium with a clear conscience!

That logo looks lousy. They can't do better than that!

logo looks like they are hosting 2015 dodgeball championships

logo looks like they are hosting 2015 dodgeball championships

Wait. We're not?

Based on that logo, you'd never know it had anything to do with a sporting event - totally lame.

And yes, I hate to say it but I wouldn't mind us backing out at this point. It's a fine idea but we've completely cocked it up. Let's save our dough and *gasp* take another run at the Commonwealth Games somewhere down the road.

According to the official description, "The vibrant, curved design of the logo, which will become the recognizable symbol of the Games, is inspired by the figurative styles of pre-Columbian aboriginal art forms throughout the Pan Americas. It also draws on ancient sport traditions – specifically the Mezzo-Americans (including Aztec and Mayan cultures), which are linked to the first use of rubber balls in sport as early as 1600 BC."

However it looks suspiciously like nothing more than a "T" and an "O"...

This whole thing is indeed an epic cock up for Hamilton. It is definteitely within the best interests of coucil to give this entire thing a pass and let Toronto have it. They've proven that they not only have the attitude but also the money and venues for it. At current we have neither the attitude, money or venues with no clear way of providing even the last of those. At this point if if we get that shitty stadium at the CP Rail lands, we'll be left with a giant deficit and a shitty stadium that will need to be replaced or majorly upgraded in 20 years. When that happens, the Ti-Cats will just try to dry rape us much like they are now, probably with a different owner but we'll be taken to the cleaners all the same.

Hand the Pan-Ams off to Toronto. Take the time to do it right at the West Harbor, with or without the Ti-Cats. They can fuck right off if they so desire as the owner has proved he has no care about the city or even the team itself. Why cater to a man's wallet when it's his team you're after?

Comment edited by MattM on 2010-10-01 09:11:13