“It's not just you, Vancouver, we haven't cared for a long time.”
So says the description of a T-Shirt for sale at www.bustedtees.com that prominently features VANOC’s inukshuk logo above the Olympic rings with the words “Nobody Cares 2010” printed in between.
SFU marketing professor Lindsay Meredith said the shirts are just another symptom of a mounting pushback against the all things Olympic.
“The T-Shirt is about making a public statement and, I think, it’s a public statement generated by VANOC,” he said.
Many in Vancouver feel like they’re not invited to the party but are left cleaning up the Olympic-sized mess left by VANOC, Meredith explained.
Perhaps, Connected Ventures, the parent company of www.bustedtees.com, felt wearing one’s displeasure with the games or pointing out apathy towards winter sports was a sure moneymaker.
But, Meredith warns VANOC’s lawyers will, no doubt, take action.
“These guys are litigious as hell, they’ll sue you if you go anywhere near using the ‘O’ word or using those funny Olympic rings,” he said.
VANOC did not respond to a call for comment by 24 hours’ presstime.
