Cross-Country Skiing

TRAIL, B.C. - A British Columbia town's decision not to fund an Olympic athlete has created a rift between the mayor and at least one councillor.

"I don't believe we were elected by the good citizens of Rossland to support one individual in the pursuit of his Olympic dream,'' Mayor Greg Granstrom told city council.

He said expenditures should benefit all citizens, not just cross-country skier George Grey.

But Coun. Jill Spearn disagreed.

"This town is full of sport and recreation,'' she said. "He will represent who we are to the world. ''

"I am appalled by what (the mayor) said.''

Waving a $20 bill, Granstrom said individual citizens should support Grey, who had requested $10,000 from the city.

If 500 Rosslanders donated $20 each, Grey's appeal to the city would be met, he said.

"How much money do the taxpayers have to put into the Olympics?'' he said. "We are into the hundreds of millions of dollars in the province. I don't think the city should add to that.''

After a motion to give Grey half the money he wanted was defeated, council approved a general resolution to support its Olympic athletes with ``in-kind services'' such as the use of city facilities for fundraisers and promotion in Rossland's newsletter.

Coun. Andy Stradling said the sponsorship would have considerable promotional value at some "very high-profile events.''

But he noted that council is struggling to control discretionary spending.

Coun. Kathy Moore, who didn't have a vote at the meeting because she was participating via telephone, noted that Grey has maintained a home ski club in Rossland even though that has cost him sponsorship money from Canmore, Alta., where he lives and trains.

Grey, 30, could not be reached for comment.

When he appeared before council last month, he said the $18,000 he receives from Sports Canada does not cover his expenses and that he was hoping to raise $30,000 this fall in donations and sponsorships.

He has two local sponsors.

Grey competed in four events at the 2006 Winter Olympics. His best finish was an 11th in the team sprint.