‘It’s a monster’: Vancouver 2010 Olympics boss weighs in on World Cup prep

The architect of the 2010 Olympic Games sits down exclusively with CTV News and offers his insights on what local FIFA World Cup organizers are doing right – an

The former head of Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee is weighing in on the city’s planning and communication around the 2026 FIFA World Cup with suggestions and encouragement, even for the premier and mayor.

John Furlong had been a household name in British Columbia in the years leading up to the 2010 games, and on Monday he granted a rare interview with CTV News to discuss the international soccer tournament taking place in less than a year’s time. The event will be hosted in 16 cities across North America.

“When these events are at their best they’re affecting everybody, so it’s huge and when it’s huge, there’s a lot of moving parts and so it is a monster. In this positive way, it’s not a negative thing,” said Furlong.

He explained that while it seems simple compared to a winter Olympics – with only seven games at one venue for Vancouver’s part in the 2026 event – there are still complex logistical concerns.

That being said, Furlong emphasized that engaging the public and explaining what’s to come are even more important.

“Communication is central and so, as this moves along, the demand for information, the demand to know, will grow. This is a huge thing for the organizers to get on top of,” he said.

“The VANOC communication enterprise was massive. We were communicating hourly, daily, every day on the build up to the games.”

Radically different strategy to Olympics

Furlong had been the face of the 2010 games and often faced tough questions about costs and security preparations. Yet he was also the Olympics’ biggest promoter, and made a special point of engaging average British Columbians who were unlikely to afford pricey event tickets with opportunities to volunteer or host visitors from across the world.

“It’s time to double down on getting that information out there and getting people to understand the type of event it is,” Furlong suggested.

“I mean, if you walk around the streets and you ask people, they don’t understand the event yet. They need to be able to understand it, they need to know how they fit in, and that’s a big job.”

On the 10-year anniversary of the games, a poll found that two thirds of respondents agreed it was “definitely” or “probably” worth hosting the 2010 Olympics.

Reaching out to Eby and Sim

For decades, Furlong has been closely engaged with major sporting events around the world and has been to multiple Olympics and World Cup events. He has seen the successes and failures and revealed to CTV News that he’s reached out to Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Premier David Eby to go all-in on the World Cup.

“I can see what’s coming for these folks and the pressure that they’re under,” Furlong said.

“I went to see the mayor and I encouraged him and told him that I see this as a massive opportunity for the city, but one that is going to take everything we have to give. Every ounce of energy we have to commit to this all day, all night between now and the staging of those games. I have communicated with the premier the same thing, because I believe that the province wants this to be a success.”