Charmaine Crooks, vice president of the World Olympians Association, will help welcome past Olympians from all over the world to the Olympians Reunion Center in Vancouver. (courtesy of Charmaine Crook

By Lois Elfman, special to icenetwork.com

(02/10/2010) – Past Olympians from anywhere in the world visiting Vancouver this month are invited to hang out at the Olympians Reunion Center located at the historic Wing Sang Building in downtown East Vancouver. Regardless of whether they’re in Vancouver to participate in the Olympic Winter Games as coaches, officials or broadcasters or simply as tourists and spectators, they are welcome.The Olympians Reunion Center (ORC) debuted at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and has been continued at every subsequent Summer and Winter Games. The ORC is run by and in cooperation with the World Olympians Association (WOA, http://www.woaolympians.com/), an international Olympic alumni group. Entrance to the ORC is free to all Olympians their friends, families and partners.

“We started about 12 years ago as an initiative of President Juan Antonio Samaranch (former president of the International Olympic Committee) as a way to reconnect the Olympic movement to the athletes of the world,” said Charmaine Crooks, a five-time Olympian in track and field for Canada and WOA vice president. Crooks, who lives in Vancouver, is on the board of directors of VANOC and has been involved with these Olympics since the bid committee first formed in 1998.

WOA has grown over the years as have national Olympic alumni associations. “It really is a way to connect back to the Olympic movement through our countries and some of the activation projects that we do,” Crooks said.

“The Olympic movement, there are so many ways for athletes to get involved,” she continued. “Whether it’s from an advocacy point of view, a ceremonial point of view, working in a leadership capacity. Whether it’s charitable or humanitarian. These things are very vital.

“There are opportunities to substantially engage. Helping develop policy that recognizes not only the athlete contribution, but also helps to grow sport so we have more kids coming in.”

Crooks said she’s committed to reengaging retired Olympians and helping them be active in the Olympic movement and the world of sports. This could involve helping to develop new talent as well as utilizing sport for humanitarian purposes. She hopes some of this reconnecting will take place at the ORC over the next few weeks, beginning with a gala reception on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

“We’re doing a lot of community based programs. For example, the city of Vancouver, they have eight days when kids will be coming in to meet Olympians and to see the artwork,” Crooks said.

The new owner of the Wing Sang Building is Vancouver businessman Bob Rennie. The building will be home to one of Canada’s most important private art collections after the Games. During the Olympics there will be an inspiring IOC photo exhibit on display.

“Bob Rennie believes in how the community can be reshaped and how sport can be a vital tool in helping to do that. He’s participating by having the Olympians present,” Crooks said.

The doors are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day from Feb. 10-28. It’s free of charge to all Olympians and their guests. Sponsors are providing refreshments.

“Come in and be inspired by the Olympic movement and reconnect,” said Crooks. “If you’re in Vancouver, you’re welcome. We have about 50 volunteers from the local Olympians chapter.” The building is walking distance from GM Place and BC Place.

“At each Olympics the ORC continues to grow,” she said. “When they see what’s going on, maybe it will inspire them to go back to their country and volunteer in sport. We need more Olympians in that system.”

Don’t worry if you haven’t preregistered. “Come by, we have a data base. We will know who you are,” Crooks said.

On a slightly separate note, this reporter was covering a track meet, the Millrose Games, last week and asked two-time Canadian Olympian, hurdler Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (2004 and ’08) to send a shout out the members of the Canadian team for Vancouver.

“To all my fellow Canadians, I wish you all the best,” said Lopes-Schliep, who won a bronze medal in the 100M hurdles in Beijing and participated in these Winter Olympics by running in the Torch Relay. “You’ve worked so hard, now it’s time to go and have fun. Do the best that you can do. Make Canada proud. Don’t hold anything back.

“When you walk out in the arena or to wherever you’re going to be competing, there are going to be tons of eyes on you. Stay in your element. Don’t let anything change that because you’ve done it hundreds of times before at practice. Enjoy, but push yourself.

“Also, soak up all the Olympic dream has to offer. If you get that medal, soak it in and wear that big smile on your face.”