VANOC promises to improve public's visibility of Olympic Cauldron

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Tourists wanting to take pictures of the Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza say the flame should be more than just background behind chain link fencing in their family photos.  VANOC has heard your complaints and organizers are working on improving spectator visibility for the waterfront Olympic flame cauldron.

VANOC says they were surprised the cauldron is so popular, and now they're considering a plexi-glass wall, or a viewing platform so people can get an unobstructed view.  However, they have to make sure any measures they take are adequate--and meets security requirements.

Currently, you can stick the lens of your camera through the fence and get a decent shot of the Olympic Cauldron, but family shots will all include the ugly metal barrier--with the cauldron burning in the background.   Upsetting others...is the fact that some people have VIP access and can walk right up to the cauldron and touch it.

On this side of the fence, 40-50 metres away from the cauldron, some people say that's just unfair. "Especially when you see other people in there getting close and people cut up all the Olympic screening in there and it makes it look kind of crummy."  The chain link is being called an eyesore, and people are clearly disappointed they're not able to get closer.   "I can't even take a picture of my daughter beside it."

If better access were granted, it would please many photographers at the plaza.  "I love the torch. It's unfortunate you can't just walk right around, but I guess that's sort of the reality of today's world," said one man."   Another woman behind the fence says, "I don't see the problem of going closer."