ESQUIMALT - Gary Reed has broken records running for Canada at the Olympics, but the proud Canadian athlete can't catch a break scoring tickets to the 2010 games.
Reed's not looking for free tickets, he'll pay for them, but he thinks former Olympians should have had a first crack at buying.
In the past - the Canadian Olympic Committee has hosted former Olympians.
In February, the COC will provide places where Team Canada alumni can hang out, catch up, and watch events on TV. But no tickets; the COC says it doesn't have the money.
Premier Gordon Campbell says it's not up to the BC government to secure tickets for Canadian heroes like Reed.
That's not good enough, say NDP critics, who point out the province spent $1 million on 3,000 Olympic tickets which MLA's and cabinet ministers can use.
The government says that is comparing apples to oranges because those tickets are meant for hosting foreign investors.
But the bill to host this party keeps on climbing. It turns out your tax dollars are being committed to luxury hotel rooms at Vancouver's swish Terminal City Club; $500,000 for beds, breakfast and booze so business people can enjoy a comfy stay in BC during the games.
Gary Reed acknowledges the Olympics have a business side to them, but he still doesn't like it, and he's still trying for tickets, in case anyone wants to hook him up.
