By Gabrielle Tassone - February 8, 2010
A lack of snow and unseasonably warm temperatures in Vancouver worries Olympic organizers, who have resorted to bringing in snow from alternate locations in preparation for the end of the week.
The city experienced its warmest January on record, and the above-freezing temperatures have raised concerns.
Cypress Mountain, the site of the freestyle and snowboarding event is
of biggest concern, with its lack of snow, and patches of green
grass. Two days of half-pipe training have been canceled as additional
snow is being brought in by helicopters and trucks from more than 150
miles away.
United States speedskater Trevor Marsicano told the Metro U.K, upon arrival to Vancouver last week he thought, "What's this green grass doing here? This is the Winter Olympics."
Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald said in an interview with CBS Sports,"We had an extremely wet and warm January."
Mary Fraser, organizing committee spokeswoman said competition will continue as scheduled.
"This is a normal course of action in temperate conditions, and we have all the technology, equipment, people and expertise to deliver the games," she said.
Fraser told CBS Sports that crews are working all hours of the day to "preserve and protect the snow."
This is not the first time a Winter Olympics hosting city has had to deal with lack of snow. In 1998, Nagano, Japan experienced a similar situation in the months leading up to the Games, but eventually wound up with a heavy snowfall.
With freezing temperatures now expected at the base of Cypress Mountain, MacDonald said,"It looks like the bad weather Olympic-wise, is done with."
