Most Spectacular Event of the Century

Flame that lit Olympic cauldron ignited spirit of a nation at Vancouver Games


Mon Mar 1, 5:31 AM


By Stephanie Levitz, The Canadian Press



VANCOUVER, B.C. - Canada entered the 2010 Winter Olympics a little like the cauldron at the opening ceremonies: not all together.


It will leave the Games behind just as the cauldron was at the closing ceremonies: in one piece. For if China used the Games to introduce themselves to the world, Vancouver used theirs to introduce Canadians to each other.


"I believe we Canadians tonight are stronger, more united, more in love with our country and more connected with each other than ever before. These Olympic Games have lifted us up," said John Furlong, the chief executive officer of the organizing committee, in his final words.


"If the Canada that came together on opening night was a little mysterious to some it no longer is. Now you know us... eh?"


When the four pillars of the cauldron failed to rise during the opening ceremonies, it was the start to what in the early days was known as the Glitch Games, a series of gaffes that had Canadians - and the world - questioning whether the country was up to hosting the biggest show on earth.


Raising that final pillar of the cauldron in the first moments of the closing ceremonies was the signal that as keepers of the flame, Canada in fact did manage to pull it together in the end.


By doing so, they pulled the country together as well.


The Games have come to Canada twice before, but it wasn't until this third date that things seem to have really clicked.


Yes, the early moments of the relationship were tragic and uncomfortable.


"We have shared the grief of an Olympic dream cut short. The memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili will always be with us," International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said in his speech at Sunday's closing ceremonies.


"We have shared the joy of dreams fulfilled. We have been moved by tears of elation and tears of disappointment."


The death of the Georgian luger will forever mark these Games.


But after the first few tumultuous days, the sun came out.


Not just in the sky but in the form of the first gold medal won by a Canadian at a Canadian Games.


The home turf drought ended with men's mogulist Alexandre Bilodeau.


"Alexandre - your first gold medal gave us all permission to feel like and behave like champions," said Furlong in his speech.


It also proved that while hockey might be Canada's game, these truly were Canada's Games, Rene Fasel, the IOC member who oversaw the 2010 Olympics, said in an interview.

"People were not only focused on ice hockey here, you had so many medals that this was not only a celebration of hockey but a celebration of the Winter Games," said Fasel, who is also the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Even so, that last gold medal was a nice touch. Canada defeated the U.S. 3-2 in sudden death overtime.

While the Olympic charter may say the Games are about athletes, not nations, hockey is definitely about both.

Tony Sam, 41, drove in from Chilliwack, about an hour's drive from Vancouver, with friends to watch the game on Sunday.

"Before this, Canada only seemed patriotic when there was a beer commercial on TV," he said.

"This is the most exciting thing that's happened in Canada, maybe, ever."

The final medal set a record for gold medals won by a host country at any Winter Olympics.

"I'm very proud to be Canadian, proud to be a part of this Olympics, to be a part of this team, to join the women's side in the gold medal," said Jarome Iginla, part of the men's gold medal winning team.

"But what I'm really proud of is to join the Canadians in the gold medal and setting that record. That is really cool."

After Bilodeau's win, the country also began a run on red mittens, red sweatshirts, red facepaint - anything and everything to show off Canadian pride.


While the Olympic fever that inflamed Canada during the Games was hotter than many expected, it wasn't accidental.


A strong home team was perceived as being the key to strong national support, and Canadian Olympic officials built the $117 million Own the Podium program, with its goal of seeing Canadian athletes win the most medals of any country.


But Canada was behind its athletes even in their darkest moments.

When skeleton racer Mellisa Hollingsworth placed a disappointing fifth, it wasn't just her loss.

"I feel like I let my whole country down" she said.

She received more than 6,000 emails or Facebook messages of support.

When figure skater Joannie Rochette's mother died days before she was to compete, there was a similar outpouring.

The Olympic flame went out Sunday, but organizers hope the national spirit it ignited doesn't follow suit.

Furlong said he hopes that passion remains.

"The Games will have many wonderful legacies. I wish but for one," he said in his final words.

"That every Canadian child - be they from Chicoutimi, Moncton, Grand Prairie, Squamish or Niagara Falls - will have the chance to grow up to experience the pleasure of sport ... no one left out. And that we of the global Olympic family will not rest until the right of every child to play across this planet is secured."