There are a lot of souvenir Olympic red mittens out there -- but authentic Vancouver 2010 Olympic banners are a far rarer commodity quietly being snapped up. The largest number of banners, approximately 6,400, were flown in Vancouver.
Of that total, 3,000 were given to UNICEF Canada to raise money for Haiti relief. About 700 of those have been purchased for prices ranging from $75 to $350. Approximately $200,000 has been raised so far to aid the earthquake-ravaged Caribbean nation.
While some of the other banners in Vancouver are still up, the ones that have been removed are being cleaned in preparation for sale. Peter Judd, who was general manager of Olympic operations for Vancouver, knows of at least six organizations that want to dispose of the banners for the city.
"The proceeds need to benefit the inner city," said Judd. He expects the banners to be available some time in May. Richmond had approximately 600 banners and is also cleaning them, but 170 people have put in pre-orders for the souvenirs that are available in pairs for either $250 or $150. Paralympic banners go for $125 each.
Approximately 50 per cent of the city's Olympic fence wrap has been sold. There were 80 sets of the panels, which measure 12 by 2.4 metres, and they sell for $300 a panel. West Vancouver sold out its banners March 26, with part of the proceeds going to the North Shore Youth Safe House and Lookout Shelter.
The District of North Vancouver only has 140 Olympic Torch Relay banners and they will be going up for sale Friday. Proceeds are earmarked for the Lynn Valley Community Association to pay for the Valley Fest Olympic celebration held in the area.
The banners aren't the only Olympic items out there in what appears to be a busy market. The provincial government's clearing house www.bcauction.ca-- has everything from Olympic Torch Relay suits with toque and mittens (high bid of $151) to four white Nood chairs used in the opening ceremony (high bid of $166) and a lot of 13 Olympic signs (high bid $46), for those interested in a souvenir of being told where to line up.
Craigslist is also full of 2010 memorabilia. For a mere $800 you can get an unused Olympic relay torch, although its gas line has been cut. Those iconic red Olympic mittens, which originally cost $10, can be had for $40, A PETA 2010 Olympic "Shame" pin opposing the seal hunt is available for $30.And, of course, there's always eBay Canada, where a search for "Vancouver 2010 Olympics" returned a list of 7,340 items.