Monday, March 15, 2010

The Olympic Games

Hard to believe, but it has already been a few weeks since Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. From the hydraulic malfunction of the Olympic frame structure to the erecting dildos (oops, I mean totem poles) to the fence (minus the cut-out) around the flame to the non-existent snow on the mountains to the melting skating oval to the violent protestors, I can safely say that I was slightly embarrassed to be a Vancouverite.

Then again, there were positive aspects like K.D. Lang's "Hallelujah", the announcer saying "you are not hallucinating, those really are flying beavers and moose", Moir & Virtue's flawless dance routine, and of course, the two golden wins for both Canada's mens and womens hockey teams. The highlight for me though was Russia's performance in the closing ceremonies from the impressive entrance by the Moscow State Chamber Choir to the world's best ballet dancers to the showcase of Sochi itself, the location of the next Winter Olympics Games. It's amazing how within 15 minutes, Russia outshone us with their sophistication and refining artistry!

In all honesty, the games weren't life altering for me like it has been for many Vancouverites. True, for a period of two weeks, Vancouver (for the first time ever) felt what it was like to have patriotism and a sense of community. Unfortunately, after the games ended, everything went back to normal; no more high-fives to complete strangers in the streets, no more fake Canadian flag tattoos on peoples' cheeks, nor more strings holding a community together. As a friend astutely put it, "Vancouver expanded and has now contracted". I wouldn't be able to put it any better than that. The Olympics are something of the past now, and I will not miss waiting in multiple-hour line-ups to various events, to toilets, and to buses.


2010 Winter Olympic Games - Vancouver


All the street lamps were decorated...


Granville Street...


Hudson Bay Company...
(this building used to look like a piece of crap
until they restored it in time for the Olympics)



The most decorated Olympian to have won
medals both in the Winter & Summer Olympics
...and she's Canadian!


The skytrain got a facelift too...


The official count down clock...


Vancouver Art Gallery...
(minus the homeless because they were shipped out)


The resurrected downtown ice skating rink...
(this too started to melt due to unusually warm weather)


Royal Bank supports Team Canada...


Lights, camera...CANADA!


Molson Beer knows what truly speaks to Canadians!


Surrey Olympic Venue...


Opening Night...


That would be Blue Rodeo!!!
(well worth the torrential downpour)


So glad that I came early for the show!
(we showed up in the thousands)


Zip-lining across Robson Square...


A 4-hour wait for a thrill of 30 seconds...


Show your colours...


Vancouver Rowing Club turned into Saxony House...


Saxony House with the Olympic Harbour Lights...


Inside Saxony House...
(We were supposed to win our first gold medal that night - Ladies Moguls)


Can't wait to see what Sochi comes up with!



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