Some days ago, Vancouver, British Columbia welcomed the world, as over 2,600 winter athletes from 82 countries entered the BC Place arena, ready to compete in 86 events in 15 different sports. The opening ceremony focused on Canadian diversity and heritage, with emphasis on the many cultures of the First Nations. After the longest Torch Relay in history, the Olympic Flame has come to rest and now lights the cauldron of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
1. A snowboarder flies through the olympic rings at the start of the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 12, 2010. (REUTERS/David Gray)
2. Torchbearer Turner Seward carries the flame in Stanley Park, British Columbia, with the Lions Gate Bridge in the background on February 12th, 2010. (©VANOC, Luca Bertacchi with IMF) #
3. A man lights a candle in memory of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who died on February 12, 2010 in a crash during a training run of the Luge event of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler. Georgia's Olympic team vowed to carry on at the Vancouver Games after luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a horror crash in training after being thrown from his sled into a metal pillar. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images) #
4. A snowboarder flies through the olympic rings at the start of the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Gary Hershorn) #
5. A performer dressed as a First Nations member walks into BC Place during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) #
6. A man takes a photograph as spectators watch the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics at BC Place on February 12, 2010. (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images) #
7. Welcome poles, representing each of the Four Host First Nations, are erected during the opening ceremonies at the BC Place for the XXI Winter Olympic Games February 12, 2010. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) #
8. A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) #
9. A giant bear lit with LED lights towers over performers during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) #
10. The Canadian delegation is introduced during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #
11. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carry the Canadian flag into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #
12. A Canadian athlete lets out a yell during the opening ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) #
13. Nelly Furtado performs during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics at BC Place. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #
14. Fabric hung from rigging inside BC Place has images of totem poles projected onto it during Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) #
15. Massive autumn leaves are projected onto the floor as performers entertain during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) #
16. A view of a performer playing the part of a Voyageur during the opening ceremonies at the BC Place for the XXI Winter Olympic Games February 12, 2010. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) #
17. A performer is suspended in the air during the opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #
18. Flags of the competing nations are superimposed onto the crowd, part of the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at BC Place. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) #
19. Skaters wearing LED lights speed during the 2010 Winter Olympics inauguration ceremony on February 12, 2010. (CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images) #
20. Winter athletes are represented in a performance during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Vancouver on February 12, 2010. (DAVID HECKER/AFP/Getty Images) #
21. Artists wearing skis and riding snowboards perform in Vancouver's BC Place, February 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Mike Blake) #
22. k.d. lang sings during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) #
23. A performer holds a candle during the opening ceremonies at the BC Place for the XXI Winter Olympic Games. (LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) #
24. Rick Hansen carries the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at BC Place on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #
25. Four final torch bearers (hockey player Wayne Gretzky, basketball player Steve Nash, skier Nancy Greene, and speedskater Catriona LeMay Doan) salute the crowd during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) #
26. Speedskater Catriona Le May Doan takes part in lighting the Olympic flame on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) #
27. Steve Nash helps to light the Olympic flame on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) #
28. Performers surround the Olympic flame as it burns in a multiflame cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) #
29. Fireworks light up the night sky after the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) #
30. Fireworks appear over Vancouver after the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky) #
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