The former host of P.E.I.’s supper hour CBC news show says the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Games are among the best he’s ever attended.
Bruce Rainnie, who left Compass almost a year ago, has been hosting CBC’s coverage of the curling events at the Olympics these past two weeks. He said Thursday he can’t say enough about the venue, the transportation or the volunteers.
“I think the thing that is going to stick with me (is) the volunteer workforce that’s been recruited here,’’ Rainnie told The Guardian.
“It is exceptional, and the volunteers have always been the ones that can make or break your Games. The volunteers here in South Korea . . . they make the experience wonderful . . . everything was ready and it was just unreal. It’s part of the culture here to sort of strive for that perfection.’’
See related: Charlottetown’s Robbie Doherty keeps a sharp lookout as an Olympic spotter
This is the eighth time Rainnie has been part of the Olympic coverage. He’s done four summer Games, and this is his fourth Winter Olympics.
“It’s the coldest (Winter Games) I’ve ever been to. Sochi was warm; Salt Lake City wasn’t bad and Torino was pretty good, too – no gloves, no toque. There’s been a strong wind all the time that keeps things chilly.’’
But, in terms of broadcasting, he’ll leave with nothing but warm memories.
“In terms of what makes things good for a broadcaster, you want a couple of big things – reliable transportation to and from your venue and you want a really good venue with everything working and in both of those regards these people have knocked it out of the park.’’
“It is exceptional, and the volunteers have always been the ones that can make or break your Games. The volunteers here in South Korea . . . they make the experience wonderful . . . everything was ready and it was just unreal. It’s part of the culture here to sort of strive for that perfection.’’
-Bruce Rainnie
Rainnie said the 2018 Olympics have also changed his outlook on one particular sport – mixed doubles curling – and not just because Canada’s John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes won gold.
“I began as a skeptic, but I became wildly enthusiastic about it after about 10 minutes. It’s really good and it’s a great test of a curler’s ability. Everything is on display – your ability to communicate, the throw, the sweep, the throw with touch, the throw with power, the call, the strategy, the ability to make really quick calls because it’s so darned fast. I love it. I think this thing is going to explode (in popularity).’’
It’s the only gold medal game Rainnie and his broadcast crew, which includes Mike Harris and Joan McCusker, will be calling involving Canada after Rachel Homan’s women’s team failed to make the playoffs and Kevin Koe’s men’s foursome lost in the semifinal to the U.S.
Both rinks were heavily favoured for gold, especially Homan, a rink Rainnie still considers the best in the world.
“(Curling experts) say there’s two things you need in a tournament,’’ Rainnie said, analyzing Homan’s downfall. “You have to have a good read of the ice and you have to have great command of your draw weight. It’s clear that Rachel Homan had neither.’’
As for Koe, Rainnie says they simply ran into a U.S. team that had the hottest skip, John Shuster.
“Sometimes in sports, that happens. That semifinal game is a tough one.’’
A lot of Islanders might be jumping on the South Korea bandwagon now since Charlottetown’s Peter Gallant coaches the women’s team. The team faces Sweden in the gold medal game today at 8:05 p.m. (AST) after defeating Japan in the Friday’s semifinal.
“Peter Gallant has done a wonderful job, and (South Korea’s success) is going to solidify his place in the coaching pantheon worldwide because win or lose now, Korea has been a story, and they’ve been a story because of him.’’
Twitter.com/DveStewart
