Premier, Collaborator Chiefs miss national anthem at Opening Ceremonies
In one of the most embarrassing moments for Vanoc, the bus carrying Premier Gordon Campbell and the four chiefs of the four host first nations was delayed getting to Friday's Opening Ceremony. They missed being present in the IOC dignitaries' box for the singing of the national anthem, and their absence behind International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and Governor-General Michaelle Jean was noted on television.
Smith-Valade blamed the delay on protesters who advanced on BC Place.
"The only ones [to be delayed] were some members of the Olympic Family whose buses arrived late to the Opening Ceremony, and that was because the protesters who were close to the venue that night forced a rethink of our security plans."