VANCOUVER - VANOC said Monday it's confident GMs' Canadian division will fulfill its sponsorship of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

But Vancouver 2010 organizers could still feel the pinch.

GM became one of six national partners when it pledged $53 million in cars and $14 million in cash in 2005.

Sponsors tend to spend two or three times more than their rights fees on what is called activation. Activation costs include advertising, promotions and hospitality.

"We have no plans for hospitality of any kind in association with the Games," said GM spokesman Stew Low. "Nor will we have a major exhibit at the Games."

VANOC was listed as a creditor when network communications giant Nortel became its first bankrupt sponsor in mid-January.

The focus now shifts to struggling official airline Air Canada, which replaced CEO Montie Brewer with Calin Rovinescu in March in a bid to avoid bankruptcy.

No favour for VANOC from health authority

There will be no favours for concession stands at 2010 Winter Olympics venues.

"We'll be treating VANOC venues like any restaurant," said health protection director Nick Losito of Vancouver Coastal Health. "If it's not meeting the requirements of the regulations and there is an imminent health risk, we will close it down."

VCH is planning 18-hour daily coverage of Games venues and the Vancouver and Whistler athletes' villages.

VCH is also charged with overseeing injury and disease monitoring and response, anti-smoking enforcement, air and water quality and health emergency management.

Seventy-five environmental health officers will work nine-hour shifts and report from the field to VANOC, the IOC medical office and the VCH website on WiFi-enabled tablet computers.

Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver 24 hours.