The Games Can Officially Begin

LOCATION: Vancouver

BY: Erica Sanderson

DATE: 2/13/2010

 

Details:  Let the games begin. The opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games last night in Vancouver was punctuated by fireworks, special effects, and one poignant moment of silence.

The crowd of 50,000 fell silent before the Olympic flag was raised to remember luger Nodar Kumaritashvili from the Republic of Georgia, People magazine reports. Kumaritashvili died Friday after he lost control of his sled on the track and struck a metal pole.

As each country entered the BC Place Stadium, many wore black armbands as a tribute to the fallen athlete, People says. The Republic of Georgia received a standing ovation when their moment came in the lineup.

Donald Sutherland narrated the ceremony as Nelly Furtado, Joni Mitchell, K.D. Lang, and Sarah MacLachlan proudly sang for their homeland, People reports.

Vice President Joesph Biden and his wife were in the crowd to support the U.S.

None other than hockey legend Wayne Gretzky lit the Olympic torch.