Calgary Herald from Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 136

SPIRIT OF 88, NOVEMBER, 1985-9 Winning bid was 6 magnificent moment9 man gets his jollies when a sale is made I don't take credit for that agreement by any means, but I was there, and it was a great deal of fun. I enjoy seeingthe looks on people's faces as they get involved in the Olympic Movement As they sign on, the look of expectation and excitement is always there. I understand that, because I've been excited so many times along the way and it's a reflection of the good that this project is doing for a lot of people. TELL US ABOUT ARRIVING BACK IN CALGARY AFTER WINNING THE BID IN BADEN-BADEN. WAS THAT ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS? The reception at the airportwas something I'll never (Con't from page 5) CAN YOU PINPOINT THE GREATEST THRILL THAT YOU'VE HAD IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS? There have been so many highlights that it's difficult to separate one.

I would think that our first major accomplishment had to be beating Vancouver. Winning the bid was a magnificent moment Concluding the agreements with all of the governments was very significant because it's the first time in Canadian history that the three governments have come together in a very big way on a single project of this kind for the benefit of sport. The signing of the $309 television contract I guess if I'm a salesman a sales CTVto cover Winter Games forget We had been up all night partying. We had been up all the previous nights working. I think we were down several pints on the sleep department, and then we had to fly back overnight on the airplane.

We got off there with sagging eyes and a 12 o'clock shadow and suddenly the adrenaline just pumped up when we saw how enthusiastic Calgarians were. We had heard reports that there was great celebration back here. I'm sure Calgarians wished they could be in Baden-Baden but I can tell you, we wished that we were back in Calgary when that announcement was first celebrated. YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED AN IDEA MAN AND A PROBLEM SOLVER, NOT AN IMPLEMENTED IS THAT TRUE? Yes, I think my strengths are greatest in conceptual and building stages. I'm best when I'm teamed up with an implementcr, a guy who can take a machine and run it HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE GAMES? I have a great deal of confidence in the staff and the volunteer system that have been built here.

I see myself continuing to pump ideas and hopefully some enthusiasm, to take some of the criticisms publicly, because I consider that to be part of my job as Chairman, and that's partly because I helped to create this "Olympic monster," and Tm prepared to defend it if necessary. I guess my role as we get closer to the Games will involve more time and particularly more protocol effort. HAS IT ALL BEEN WORTH IT? It's all been worth it People say to me, How do you put up with the flak and donate so much time," and I would just say that the experience has been very much in favor of me. I think the community has given me more than I've given the community. No one will be duplicating the work of Switzer, Morais or Mellanby.

"My primary function," says Switzer, "will be to keep the team working at capacity, ensuring they communicate with each other, respect each other and most of all, stay on budget!" Mellanby states his goal simply, "I feel responsible for shaping the attitude of those 1.5 billion viewers and it is going to be a positive show because this is a positive story." the Big Four Building at Stampede Park. The International Broadcast Centre will be an immense undertaking in itself. The space (over 1 20,000 sq.ft) will house 25 radio stations, master control rooms, a major video tape centre, booths and master control rooms for the international broadcasters. Intrinsic to the IBC will be the booking office. Any of the international T.V.

rights holders can rent a camera and an operator plus all of the supplies for interview or commentary purposes. Studios will be available for rent on 24-hour notice. ABC has the right to do their own coverage and Mellanby expects the network to bring in a couple of mobiles and another 30 to 40 cameras. "By all indications," reveals Mellanby, "ABC will take our pictures and supplement them with their own. rather than duplicate the same quality of coverage.

It shows great confidence in us." The first part of his job completing a production plan, finding experienced people and generally getting the unit in place is well underway. "We had to do some catching up to the progress already made by OCO '88," Mellanby says. "Now we are a good six months ahead of schedule." By this time next year he is hoping to have all of the venue plans ready for review by the various sports federations. "They have to approve what we plan to do," explains Mellanby. The Unit is working closely with OCO '88 to create an infrastructure.

OCO '88 will handle all of the day-to-day operations such as accreditation, transportation, accommodation, eating facilities and security. "Instead of having hundreds of support staff we will have one person assigned to each of OCO '88's committees," explains Mellanby, "This will eliminate any lack of communication and duplication of effort which has been a problem in past Olympics." One thing is certain. (Con't from page 8) will be at least one, and in some cases up to four mobile production trailers at all the sites. Four scenic cameras around Calgary and one at Nakiska will provide continuous live shots during action pauses. "We will use the regular state-of-the-art stuff, a blimp, helicopter, the skycam which flies by itself on wire and is operated by remote control, and a special aerial camera," says Mellanby.

"We have some ideas and we are talking to manufacturers to have new things invented. The Olympics will be a great showcase for their products," reveals Mellanby, who is keeping his ideas under wraps. Otherwise someone else will pick it up and use it before us." The picture and sound from all the venues will be simulcast to the master control in the IBC for relay to the various international broadcasters and across Canada. The centre will be located in A Phone Call to 932-2221 in Cochrane and YOU could enjoy THIS ir mmjmmmmMM' View Ridge Estates 034 Estate Lots in Cochrane Fabulous View of Rockies OOn the Ridge Adjacent to the 1 57 Acre Historical Cochrane Ranche Provincial Park. Cochrane Specialists in Residential Commercial Industrial Acreages 'Cochrane's Oldest Established Real Estate Company'' Cochrane Realty Ltd, 932-2221 RALPH MELLANBY AND PHYLLIS SWITZER to head CTV Host Broadcast Unit.