Finnish NHL star Jarkko Ruutu enthuses over Vancouver as Olympic host

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Nowadays snow is a rare sight indeed in the city that hosts the Winter Olympic Games.
      In Nagano 1998 there were patches of snow here and there, In Salt Lake City 2002 one could hardly speak of snow drifts by the side of the road, and in Torino four years ago the situation was more or less the same.
      The city of Vancouver is very unlikely to see any snow during the Olympic Games, but on the surrounding mountains the situation is altogether different.
      From downtown Vancouver one can see the silhouette of the mountains. A pair of binoculars brings the wintry landscape in closer.
     
In Vancouver the lack of snow is not because of the city’s southern location. Besides, the city does not lie that far south, anyway. It is the way the city is situated between the ocean and the mountains that keeps it free of the white stuff.
      Of all the hosts of the Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver is the fourth most northerly. Only Lillehammer, Oslo, and Calgary sit at higher latitudes.
      “It is difficult to predict what the February weather is like in Vancouver. It may drizzle downtown and snow in the mountains. The rain is never that hard”, says Jarkko Ruutu.
      He should know. Ruutu lived in Vancouver for six years while playing ice hockey for the NHL team the Vancouver Canucks.
      “During those six years it snowed perhaps no more than half a dozen times”, Ruutu recalls.
     
Ruutu, who now plays for Ottawa, is returning to his former hometown as a member of the Finnish Olympic ice hockey squad.
      This suits the man down to the ground.
      “Paradise. Such a great place. I love it”, Ruutu says without sounding as though he is exaggerating.
      Apart from ice hockey, Vancouver means many other things as well for Ruutu.
      The cafés, the sushi restaurants, the Asian hangouts, and many other attractions the Finn became well acquainted with.
      “The city is very neat with the surrounding mountains and everything. Can’t say a negative word about it. And the people are friendly.”
     
Vancouver is filled with Chinese restaurants and Asian culture. The city’s nickname is Hongcouver, Ruutu reveals.
      In the downtown area all the services are within easy reach. On Robson St. there is café after café, and in Yale Town near the GM Place ice hockey arena there is a world of restaurants where every taste is catered for.
      “To walk around the city”, is Ruutu’s answer when asked about spare time activities. “That alone is already plenty fun.”
      One of Ruutu’s favourite spots, Stanley Park, is excellent for more vigorous outdoor activities such as running and hiking.
      If one really wants to test one’s fitness, then the nearby Grouse Mountain is the right address.
      “It takes just over an hour to climb up there, although with a little effort I did make it up there in 40 minutes. And then down by gondola lift”, Ruutu describes.
     
The Olympic Games are a big deal for Vancouver and especially for Canadian ice hockey.
      In Calgary in 1988, Canada did not reap success, but at that time the NHL players did not take part in the Games.
      Now all the best players are included.
      “Every single billboard advertises something related to the Games. It is a big deal”, Ruutu confirms.
      “Vancouver must be one of the best places to have ever hosted the Olympic Games”, Ruutu says. That is a bold statement, but judging by the look of it Ruutu may well be right.
     
The Vancouver Games also provide Canada with a chance to change history and correct a certain striking statistical anomaly.
      Namely, Canada is the only Olympic host never to have won a gold medal in its own games.
      No pressure, then...

More on this subject:
 The Finnish Olympic team in Vancouver

Previously in HS International Edition:
  Hard-tackling Jarkko Ruutu keeps fellow ice hockey stars in check (7.10.2008)

Links:
  Jarkko Ruutu (Wikipedia)
  Vancouver Official Site
  Vancouver 2010.com

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