Ohno! Surrey three-peat not happening

Canada's national short-track speedskating team is on the ice this weekend in the Pacific Coliseum where it hopes to own the podium during February's Winter Olympics.

A year ago, the United States team was in the area, on ice at the South Surrey Arena for a second year. When I talked to Apolo Anton Ohno, he anticipated one more pre-Games camp in the summer of 2009. It's not going to happen. Oh, no.

U.S. Speedskating spokesperson Peri Kinder tells me "the short-track team has no plans to travel to Vancouver during the summer."

No reason given, but there is a cost for transportation, accommodation, meals and facility rental and there is a recession.

Another dent in the City of Surrey's bid to leverage its $2.5 million sponsorship of VANOC. As it is, the $10 million Games Preparation Centre is five months late and VANOC had to look elsewhere for ceremonies performer rehearsals.