The 2010 Winter Olympics In Vancouver, Canada

The games of the 21st Winter Olympics are scheduled to run from February 12 through 28, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. An estimated 80-plus nations are set to participate with over 5,500 athletes competing in 15 sports. Seven new nations are scheduled to appear, including the Cayman Islands of the Caribbean. The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) has successfully overseen the completion of all venues over one year prior to the opening (and closing) ceremonies that will be held indoors for the first time ever in the 60,000 seat BC Place Stadium.

The road to Vancouver began in Olympia, Greece on October 22, 2009 when the Olympic Torch was lit. On October 30, it began its journey to the four corners of Canada, touching over 1,000 communities in 106 days. Canada has formerly hosted two previous Olympiads in Montreal (1976) and Calgary (1988.) The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.

With 86 medal events, competition will be keen between such strong contending countries as Germany, the United States, Canada, Austria and the Russian Federation that led the medal count during the previous Olympics in Torino, Italy. Eight ice sports and seven snow sports round out the competition. Viewers throughout the world will see such favorites as figure skating, alpine skiing, ice hockey, bobsled, the luge, speed skating and even curling.

VANOC has had to contend with recent warm temperatures. Snow has been imported from higher elevations to ready Cypress Mountain successfully for skiing events. Over 13,000 security personnel are on hand utilizing the latest surveillance equipment for the athletes’ protection. Large stockpiles of H1N1 vaccine have even been secured to safeguard against swine flu. So with all in place and “With Glowing Hearts,” as the motto indicates, the world awaits the competition.