Vancouver_2010_Olympics: Security 1 : Budget 0. That's the score so far as collars tighten and officials prepare for, what will no doubt, be a defining moment in Canadian sporting and hospitality history at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. With the reputation of a bunch of puck slapping, rock curling, syrup pouring softies, it will no doubt be world expected for us to offer all smiles and timbits for ticket holders and visitors. However, expect a far more modernized, post 9/11, approach to the upcoming showcase of the world's winter best.

Everyone's favourite federal Public Safety Minister, Stockwell Day, claims that the original projected security budget of $175 million has grown to Chris Pronger sized proportions and is hovering around the $1 billion mark. Canadians can expect that their pockets, likely, will not enjoy a similar degree of expansion. It looks as though weekly trips to Swiss Chalet could turn monthly and little Ricky's hockey equipment will be hand me down from big brother Ben.

Don't jump off the half pipe just yet though. There will no doubt be bang for our duck. Canadian security plans to turn 30 different competitive and non-competitive venues, around Vancouver, into check in for a flight to Israel (which will of course be child's play to the three Israeli athletes competing this month). Officials are urging ticket holders to arrive at the venues some two to three hours early for a less than pleasant pre-game warm-up that will include baggage x-rays, metal detectors and the expulsion of any outside food and beverages at the city venues. So here's a Martiniboys.com match strategy: PACK LIGHT!

Scouting reports are also being distributed throughout the city via recently implemented security cameras which are being used to keep tabs on the population overhaul that inevitably comes with the hosting of the world's stage. This seems to be where opinions really duke it out for a medal. Citizens of the hosting city seem understanding of the necessity for the security bump, but there's a great deal of uncertainty about when the 2010 Olympics come to a close and Vancouverites are left with an abundance of surveillance and Sidney Crosby like privacy. In fact, $2.1 million has been requested by the RCMP for the procurement and installation of cameras. While the RCMP's Olympic created Integrated Security Unit claims that the CCTV system is temporary, many believe they will have permanent control over it.

While the greatest athletes our humble nation has to offer attempt to skate, ski and slide to the podium, the greatest security our money can buy will attempt to sift, search and scare their way to a gold medal performance. Canada failed to win a gold medal in the previous two Olympics on their home turf. Let's hope, at Vancouver 2010, we exceed the world's expectations of us as perennial doormats, in both competitions. - G.H.