Vancouver chiefs defend Cypress media ban

• Source: Global Times
• [08:15 February 09 2010]
• Comments

Winter Games chiefs banned media from its troubled Cypress Mountain venue Monday, but insisted they have nothing to hide.

The Cypress site, which will host the freestyle and snowboarding events at the Games, has been plagued by a lack of snow as Vancouver has bathed in mild, spring-like temperatures.

As a result, the venue was shut to the public before 300 lorries, as well as a fleet of helicopters, were employed to ferry snow down from the higher slopes.

Now VANOC, the Games organizing committee, have prevented reporters from visiting the site, telling media they will not be welcome until today.

"We have nothing to hide," said Tim Gayda, VANOC vice president.

"We must ensure safety and focus on the field of play. The media can visit Cypress on Tuesday."

"From a course perspective we are doing well and making sure we have enough snow for the Games."

Training for the freestyle events has had to be rescheduled to the alpine venue of Whistler where there has been plenty of snow, but sits two hours to the north.

Agencies