The Vancouver Olympics organizers are predicting that H1N1 will have little impact on the Games.

The Canadian Press writes that while the World Health Organization will send an official to monitor the 2010 Olympics, the threat of H1N1 has likely passed. The article focuses on the steps taken to ensure the Games operate the way they’re supposed to.

From widely available vaccinations to a troop of roving volunteers that can be deployed anywhere there are significant shortages due to the flu (either H1N1 or “regular” strains), the Games seem well equipped to handle any such problems. Statistics from the 2006 Olympics in Torrino state that Italy actually had much lower cases of flu infections… although the specific reason why this is the case is not explained.

It’s nice to have some good news for a change… normally the run-up to a major event like this is riddled with panic attacks and fear tactics by the media, trying to gather viewership to see if anything goes horribly wrong. Some of the countermeasures in place are a little extreme… for example, British Columbia received an additional 3 million doses of vaccine, despite the fact that the number of visitors for the Games is estimated in the 250,000 range. But perhaps safer is better than sorry, and an ounce of prevention yada yada.

H1N1 has been the Canadian boogey man for just about long enough… here’s hoping that by the time the Olympics roll around, that it’s finally lost the last of its teeth.