For the third time in four days, Canada has won 4 medals.
The first one this afternoon came around 5 PM when our men's team pursuit trio beat the United States to snag the men's only medal at the Richmond Olympic Oval. That was Gold #11.
Then, barely 5 minutes later, Jasey-Jay Anderson carved his way to Olympic gold after 4 tries. Anderson made it through 10 runs before crossing the finishing line as Olympic champion. More amazingly, he made up a 0.76 second deficit in the final run. What a moment for him.
Up in Whistler, Lyndon Rush's four man bobsled team missed out on a silver medal by 1/100th of a second. Nonetheless, they do take away the bronze medal, which was also Canada's 24th trip to the podium, matching the record haul in Torino.
Finally, a couples hours ago, Canada's Men's Curling team, led by Skip Kevin Martin, beat Norway 6-3 to win our 13th Gold medal in Vancouver.
What a day it's been-we got to hear O Canada THREE times. We broke the record for the most number of gold medals won by a host nation. We tied the record for the most number of gold medals EVER by any nation at one Winter Olympics. On Wednesday night, Canada was trailing far behind with just 11 medals. Now, suddenly, we might ourselves in third place with 25 medals.
And it's not done yet! TOMORROW-this entire nation will watch what will be the BIGGEST HOCKEY GAME Canada has ever played in. If we win, it will be our 14th Gold medal and 26th medal overall. But more than that, we will have won our HOLY GRAIL.
*Fingers crossed*
-D
Saturday 27 February 2010
10 Medals in 3 Days
Wow!
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Quadruple Medal Day
In the last few hours, on Day 12 of what has so far been a disappointing Olympics, Canada collected four medals.
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
Tuesday 23 February 2010
GOLD #6
In less than 24 hours, Canada has struck gold for a second time.
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
Monday 22 February 2010
GOLDEN MOMENT
After a weekend of disappointments, upsets, and crashes and burns...Canada has finally struck GOLD again!! This time, we delivered, and we delivered big!!
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Sunday 21 February 2010
Canada the Great Choke
Creds to my friend Varun for coining that term.
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
Friday 19 February 2010
More Gold Coming?
Melissa Hollingsworth is currently in second place after the 3rd run of the Women's Skeleton. She is the bronze medallist from four years ago and is right now 0.13 seconds back. Can't wait for that last run. Go for Gold Melissa!
Jon Montgomery is also second right now in the Men's Skeleton event. He is 0.29 seconds back-it'll be tough to make up that time in 2 runs. But can Canada get double gold tonight?
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are also starting their competition tonight. Hopefully, Pacific Coliseum will give Canadians better luck this time around.
-D
Jon Montgomery is also second right now in the Men's Skeleton event. He is 0.29 seconds back-it'll be tough to make up that time in 2 runs. But can Canada get double gold tonight?
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are also starting their competition tonight. Hopefully, Pacific Coliseum will give Canadians better luck this time around.
-D
Thursday 18 February 2010
Another Gold
At around 5 PM today, Canada added to its gold medal total thanks to Christine Nesbitt of London, Ontario. She edged out a Dutch skater by 2-100th of a second. Her teammate Kristina Groves was oh-so-close to the podium and missed 3rd place by 0.06 seconds.
Nonetheless, GOLD is a beautiful thing and Canada has three of them now in Vancouver. I am, however, starting to be a little worried that we will not end up on top of the medals leaderboard at the end of the Games. The United States have just dominated this first week, already having won 17 medals and perhaps one more in figure skating tonight.
People have said Canada's bulk of the medals are supposed to come in the second week but I just don't know how we'll make up for the medals we lost and the medals we won in Torino that we will for sure not be able to win in Vancouver (Buttle's bronze, Men's Skeleton's gold and silver...). It'll be very, very hard but hopefully, we'll be able to pull ahead the Americans by the end.
Patrick Chan's performance was subpar to say the least here in Vancouver. I expected a lot more from the world silver medallist. But he IS just 19 years old and he will probably be back in Sochi in 2014. It would have been nice for him to win a medal on home soil though.
Gotta watch Pluschenko and then get to bed.
-D
Nonetheless, GOLD is a beautiful thing and Canada has three of them now in Vancouver. I am, however, starting to be a little worried that we will not end up on top of the medals leaderboard at the end of the Games. The United States have just dominated this first week, already having won 17 medals and perhaps one more in figure skating tonight.
People have said Canada's bulk of the medals are supposed to come in the second week but I just don't know how we'll make up for the medals we lost and the medals we won in Torino that we will for sure not be able to win in Vancouver (Buttle's bronze, Men's Skeleton's gold and silver...). It'll be very, very hard but hopefully, we'll be able to pull ahead the Americans by the end.
Patrick Chan's performance was subpar to say the least here in Vancouver. I expected a lot more from the world silver medallist. But he IS just 19 years old and he will probably be back in Sochi in 2014. It would have been nice for him to win a medal on home soil though.
Gotta watch Pluschenko and then get to bed.
-D
Wednesday 17 February 2010
What a Day in Vancouver!
Alright, let's do some catch up!
7.3 million people in Canada watched Alex Bilodeau's gold medal ceremony Monday night. What a moment that was!! I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my back as BC Place sang O Canada together for the first time.
Then, Mike Robertson came oh-so-close to another gold medal Monday evening at Cypress in the Men's Snowboard Cross. That was a very exciting race and I thought Robertson was going to win the gold for sure. But creds go to Seth Wescott who took advantage of a Robertson gaffe and defended his gold from Torino.
Yesterday, Canada saw its second gold medal in Vancouver from a Vancouverite herself. Maelle Ricker who crashed in the Women's Snowboard Cross final four years ago came back for big-time redemption, snatching the Olympic title with EASE!! I was so happy for her and again I got goosebumps listening to O Canada tonight. I do kind of feel for Lindsey Jacobellis though, choking for the second time in a row.
Three golds for the US today-Vonn, Davis, and just 5 minutes ago, the Flying Tomato-Shaun White. Impressive performances from all three. White was just amazing, doing a Double Cork 1260 on his last jump. A-MA-ZING. Another medal for Canada today, in short track. China won another gold thanks to Wang Meng. Time to get to bed-I'll check back in tomorrow with more Olympic action. I'm lovin' every minute of this!
-D
7.3 million people in Canada watched Alex Bilodeau's gold medal ceremony Monday night. What a moment that was!! I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my back as BC Place sang O Canada together for the first time.
Then, Mike Robertson came oh-so-close to another gold medal Monday evening at Cypress in the Men's Snowboard Cross. That was a very exciting race and I thought Robertson was going to win the gold for sure. But creds go to Seth Wescott who took advantage of a Robertson gaffe and defended his gold from Torino.
Yesterday, Canada saw its second gold medal in Vancouver from a Vancouverite herself. Maelle Ricker who crashed in the Women's Snowboard Cross final four years ago came back for big-time redemption, snatching the Olympic title with EASE!! I was so happy for her and again I got goosebumps listening to O Canada tonight. I do kind of feel for Lindsey Jacobellis though, choking for the second time in a row.
Three golds for the US today-Vonn, Davis, and just 5 minutes ago, the Flying Tomato-Shaun White. Impressive performances from all three. White was just amazing, doing a Double Cork 1260 on his last jump. A-MA-ZING. Another medal for Canada today, in short track. China won another gold thanks to Wang Meng. Time to get to bed-I'll check back in tomorrow with more Olympic action. I'm lovin' every minute of this!
-D
Sunday 14 February 2010
FINALLY!!!!
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CANADIAN OLYMPIC HISTORY, A CANADIAN ATHLETE HAS WON A GOLD MEDAL ON HOME SOIL!!!!!
I can already see the headlines tomorrow morning-GOLD FOR CANADA, THE DROUGHT IS OVER, 33 YEARS IN THE MAKING-whatever it is, the wait is FINALLY over. Alexandre Bilodeau, a 22 year old moguls World Cup champion from Rosemère, Quebec snagged the gold with a nearly perfect run down Cypress Mountain.
He was the second last to go but the crowd went wild as the scores went up. Frenchman Colas then came roaring down the hill with a sub-23 run. It was nervewracking to wait for HIS scores, but in the end, a misstepped jump resulted in a major deduction. And as the scores showed him to be in 6th place, the crowd went absolutely beserk!
They chanted Bilodeau's name! They chanted CA-NA-DA! CA-NA-DA! Boy, I even had tears in my eyes!! What an evening! What a performance! I can't wait for that "O Canada" tomorrow night!!
-D
I can already see the headlines tomorrow morning-GOLD FOR CANADA, THE DROUGHT IS OVER, 33 YEARS IN THE MAKING-whatever it is, the wait is FINALLY over. Alexandre Bilodeau, a 22 year old moguls World Cup champion from Rosemère, Quebec snagged the gold with a nearly perfect run down Cypress Mountain.
He was the second last to go but the crowd went wild as the scores went up. Frenchman Colas then came roaring down the hill with a sub-23 run. It was nervewracking to wait for HIS scores, but in the end, a misstepped jump resulted in a major deduction. And as the scores showed him to be in 6th place, the crowd went absolutely beserk!
They chanted Bilodeau's name! They chanted CA-NA-DA! CA-NA-DA! Boy, I even had tears in my eyes!! What an evening! What a performance! I can't wait for that "O Canada" tomorrow night!!
-D
Under the Rain
Under a cloudy sky, fog, and heavy rain last night at Cypress Mountain, Jennifer Heil, the woman that I thought was going to break Canada's gold medal drought on home soil, snagged a silver. She had a great run for sure, but Hannah Kearney of the US (who is half-Canadian by the way) just had a better one.
After her second jump, Heil had a bit of a stumble on the landing but Kearney was nearly flawless, faster, and got more air. Kearney completely deserved it, but I am quite disappointed that our gold medal drought continues.
As for today, long track speed skating will be starting shortly. It's the ladies 3000 M final, featuring a slew of Canadians-Kristina Groves, Cindy Klassen, and Clara Hughes. Groves is probably our best medal hopeful for this event. Klassen, while probably the fan favourite, is not in her best form due to various injuries over the past few years. Nonetheless, that should be an exciting one, starting at 4 Eastern.
Later tonight, there's more moguls action, this time for the men. There are 3 Canadians in the medal mix, the favourite of which for a medal is Alexandre Bilodeau. It'll be interesting to see the Canadian reaction to Dale Begg-Smith, a Vancouverite-turned-Australian who ealier this week said this is not his home. While I like him as a skier, I think anybody with that kind of attitude is haughty and arrogant.
Charles Hamelin had a chance to medal yesterday in the 1500, but apparently, that wasn't even his best event. So hopefully, he'll have better luck the next couple of events.
Check in often!
-D
After her second jump, Heil had a bit of a stumble on the landing but Kearney was nearly flawless, faster, and got more air. Kearney completely deserved it, but I am quite disappointed that our gold medal drought continues.
As for today, long track speed skating will be starting shortly. It's the ladies 3000 M final, featuring a slew of Canadians-Kristina Groves, Cindy Klassen, and Clara Hughes. Groves is probably our best medal hopeful for this event. Klassen, while probably the fan favourite, is not in her best form due to various injuries over the past few years. Nonetheless, that should be an exciting one, starting at 4 Eastern.
Later tonight, there's more moguls action, this time for the men. There are 3 Canadians in the medal mix, the favourite of which for a medal is Alexandre Bilodeau. It'll be interesting to see the Canadian reaction to Dale Begg-Smith, a Vancouverite-turned-Australian who ealier this week said this is not his home. While I like him as a skier, I think anybody with that kind of attitude is haughty and arrogant.
Charles Hamelin had a chance to medal yesterday in the 1500, but apparently, that wasn't even his best event. So hopefully, he'll have better luck the next couple of events.
Check in often!
-D
Friday 12 February 2010
Let Canada's Games Begin
12:14 AM: Gretzky lights the cauldron in Jack Poole Square. There are tears in the eyes of the crowd that has gathered in the square. What a moment and though it wasn't very dramatic by any means, it is an amazing end to the flame's amazing journey through this country. Just seeing all those people on the downtown streets in Vancouver sums up what the Games mean to this country. The Games of Vancouver have begun! Just imagine all the memories that will be made in the next 16 days...
12:12 AM: Lloyd Robertson and Brian Williams are reminiscing about their own torch runs. It looks like Gretzky has reached his destination.
12:10 AM: It's hard to believe how close they're allowing the the crowd to the truck. They didn't even let us on the road when it came around here in TO. And now Gretzky has gotten a replacement as he continues on this rather long ride to the external cauldron.
12:08 AM: Gretzky stands in the back of a truck, waving to all the screaming supporters that have lined the route. It's one last public leg for a truly public relay. It is quite an amazing moment. Keep in mind that it is pouring in Vancouver and yet so many peope are running alongside the Gretzky.
12:03 AM: Now, Wayne Gretzky will carry the flame to the waterfront to light the external flame. I wonder if this was the original plan or a last minute replacement for another malfunction?
12:00 AM: The Olympic cauldron has been lit inside the stadium in what is an anti-climatic moment. Catriona Le May Doan does not get to light her section of the torch. This was not what I thought it would be...
11:59 PM: There has been a malfunction with the hydraulic system that operates the cauldron. Only three of what is probably four cauldrons has come up from the floor.
11:57 PM: A moment of suspense as all five torchbearers stand in their spots. What will they do? Will they light it together?
11:55 PM: And now the Great One...Wayne Gretzky receives the flame. Now the question is, will he light the cauldron?
11:55 PM: Nancy Greene receives the flame from Nash and a huge ovation to go with it.
11:54 PM: NBA MVP and All-Star Steve Nash receives the flame.
11:54 PM: Hansen passes the flame to Catriona Le May Doan.
11:53 PM: Here comes the majestic music. It's the Olympic torch!!!! The same torch I saw almost two months ago here in Toronto. It looks like Rick Hansen coming in on his wheelchair.
11:49 PM: French singer Garu sings yet another song.
11:48 PM: Hayley Wickenheiser takes the Athletes' Oath in English. Michel Verrault takes the Judges' Oath in French.
11:47 PM: A minute of silence is held for luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. It is a powerful and memorable moment as 60 000 people stand quietly and solemnly for 60 seconds. They lower the Canadian and Olympic flags to half mast.
11:41 PM: The flag-bearing octet arrives at the flagpole, where they stand to watch the Mounties raise the five-ringed flag. The Olympic Hymn is sung. Jacque Rogge still doesn't know the words (see my Beijing Opening Ceremony post).
11:39 PM: Now comes the Olympic flag, carried by: Betty Fox (mother of Terry Fox), actor Donald Sutherland, Formula One driver Jacque Villeneuve, 1948 figure skating champion Barbara Ann Scott, renowned singer Anne Murray, former UN peacekeeping commander Romeo Dallaire, the great hockey player Bobby Orr (who gets a huge ovation from the crowd), and astronaut Julie Payette (who just finished a tour of the International Space Station)
11:32 PM: "Hallelujah" is sung by KD Lang as the crowd romantically waves their flashlights.
11:30 PM: Our Governor General Michaelle Jean bilingually opens the Vancouver Games!!
11:26 PM: Here's Dr. Jacque Rogge.
11:23 PM: Furlong says this is the "proudest night of my life".
11:22 PM: Furlong says with the help of the Olympics flame, we can all aspire to be Olympian. I couldn't have said it better myself.
11:20 PM: Furlong makes multiple references to Nodar, calling on athletes to compete with his spirit.
11:18 PM: John Furlong calls on the world to share the experience of being "a proud Canadian".
11:16 PM: Here comes John Furlong and Jacque Rogge. They begin jointly at the podium to dedicate a moment to Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luger who passed away in the luge accident earlier in the day. It is an appropriate, solemn remembrance.
11:11 PM: A poem of Canadian identity is recited by a man who was reportedly discovered on YouTube and it is an inspiring and passionate one! He sums up what this country is all about. He sums up why my parents came to this country. Wow.
11:10 PM: We move into the part of the show highlighting the modernity of this country. The light streaks on the ground are like car lights on a busy highway.
11:07 PM: It's another light show galore as images of winter Olympic highlights are projected onto a mountain in the middle of the stage with acrobats twisting and turning in the air with skis and snowboards strapped to their feet.
11:04 PM: What a cooperative audience they've got in there, waving their flashlights with perfect effectiveness.
10:57 PM: The prairie segment of the show begins with a boy running along the wheat fields. He is lifted into the air and gracefully glides and twists in the "wind".
10:52 PM: Woah...are those flames on the heels of their shoes and the tips of their violin bows?
10:50 PM: The crowd gives an enormous ovation to the solo tap dancer. Some more dancers join in. It's one heck of a party scene down there on the floor.
10:48 PM: More fiddling and leaves falling. The bright red maple leaves are pretty good looking.
10:45 PM: Man in a canoe suspended high above the stage pretending to play the violin/fiddle amidst falling maples leaves highlight the "colours of fall" in Canada.
10:37 PM: Sarah McLachlan performs "Ordinary Miracle" along with the orchestra. Great song for this atmosphere. Almost every athlete can relate to an "ordinary miracle" sometime in his or her career.
10:34 PM: Seriously, the light effects are amazing. They're so real. First, it was the ice cracking and now the orca whales swimming in the ocean. I'm impressed.
10:31 PM: THAT is one big bear!! Very very cool with the light effects.
10:25 PM: Commercial break across the channels. Been a great show so far. Let's see what else is next.
10:19 PM: "Bang the Drum", a tribute to the athletes is performed by Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams. They're standing on the "drum" in the centre of the stadium.
10:18 PM: BC Premier Gordon Campbell cracks me up with his enthusiastic flag waving!
10:14 PM: The crowd goes wild as the Maple Leaf enters the stadium! Canada is here, led by flagbearer Clara Hughes. Listen to the crowd. Look at all those camera flashes and waving flags. What an emotional moment. I'm getting goosebumps.
10:12 PM: Listen to the applause as Americans enter. Many Americans probably made their way up to from Washington state. Very warm welcome for that contingent. Vice President Joe Biden is in the stands with his wife Jill.
10:09 PM: Chinese Taipei makes an entrance with their Olympic flag. They send a luger to Vancouver.
10:07 PM: Sweden is sending a huge contingent. And hey look, it's Peter Forsberg holding the flag!
10:02 PM: The Russians want to win 40 medals in Vancouver? I don't think that's going to happen...they'll be lucky to crack 30.
9:59 PM: And here comes another powerhouse-Norway. The Nordic events are pretty much DESIGNED for them.
9:55 PM: Mexico's lone athlete is 51 years old. He's an alpine skiier who hasn't competed in the Olympics since 1994. He IS the oldest athlete in Vancouver.
9:53 PM: NBC points out that Liechenstein has won 9 medals in Winter Olympic history and they have just a population of 34000.
9:52 PM: Latvia is bringing 58 athletes and many of them are likely to contend too.
9:48 PM: The Jamaican Bobsled Team did not make it to Vancouver, but they do send one athlete though, competiting in ski cross.
9:45 PM: Out of 1.1 billion people, Indian sends a meagre 3 to Vancouver.
9:43 PM: Hong Kong has a team of its own?! My dad says she looks like somebody from the north of China, definitely sent by China, he says.
9:40 PM: Germany sure is a colourful contingent.
9:39 PM: Here's the Georgian contingent. A standing ovation from all those in the stadium in memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luger who perished earlier today in training. The Georgian delegate will leave the stadium immediately after marching in. They have those black armbands on. What a moment.
9:35 PM: Look at the dancers on the sides of the entrance, reminds me of Beijing a little bit.
9:33 PM: More flamboyant pants, this time from the Czech Republic.
9:30 PM: Here comes China!!!!!! Much much better uniforms this time around. Han Xiaopeng, the reigning aerials gold medallist, holds our flag.
9:28 PM: Five athletes from Brazil, a nation of almost 200 million... Cayman Islands has 1 athlete and a population of 49000...
9:27 PM: Jacque Rogge is a surgeon?! And wow, Bermuda's lone athlete trots in with shorts on. Never thought that would happen in the Winter Olympics eh? But honestly, they look pretty tacky with those navy blue suits.
9:24 PM: Here comes the first powerhouse of the Winter Olympics. 81 athletes from Austria and theire co-flagbearers are brothers. And hey, look at those colourful pants of the Azerbaijan contingent.
9:22 PM: Love the snow-like surface the athletes are walking onto.
9:21 PM: The countries are here already? The show part of this is done already?!
9:20 PM: They're doing some cool things with the lights. Look at all those flags projected in the stands.
9:19 PM: As we watch the First Nations gather in the centre of the stadium, Brian Williams points out that Canada has more than 350 First Nations.
9:13 PM: The four different First Nations welcome the world by extending out their hands. Those totem poles look a bit robotic.
9:09 PM: Up goes the Maple Leaf. This rendition of O Canada is a bit too pop/romantic for an OC, don't you think? But VANOC CEO John Furlong did say this was going to be an intimate ceremony.
9:07 PM: They've definitely set a majestic atmosphere at BC Place with the pompous music. Look at all the camera flashes.
9:04 PM: What an entrance by the snowboarder!! Simply beautiful!!
9:02 PM: Love the video of the snowboarder carving down what is a pure cliff. Wow! The list of Winter Olympics host cities is a bit out of the place though.
9:00 PM: The countdown has begun! An awe-inspiring video of Vancouver beauty kicks it off.
8:55 PM: It's time to light the cauldron once again. Tonight, in the shadow of the awe-inspiring beauty of Vancouver harbour, the XXI Winter Olympics will be officially opened. It's a project nearly a decade in the making, which has inspired unprecedented Canadian pride. Tonight, all the anticipation comes to an end and Canada's Games will begin. I cannot describe in words, as a Canadian, what I am feeling tonight. Watching the pre-ceremony shows right now, I am already getting goosebumps. Alright, here we go-Vancouver 2010-about to begin.
-D
12:12 AM: Lloyd Robertson and Brian Williams are reminiscing about their own torch runs. It looks like Gretzky has reached his destination.
12:10 AM: It's hard to believe how close they're allowing the the crowd to the truck. They didn't even let us on the road when it came around here in TO. And now Gretzky has gotten a replacement as he continues on this rather long ride to the external cauldron.
12:08 AM: Gretzky stands in the back of a truck, waving to all the screaming supporters that have lined the route. It's one last public leg for a truly public relay. It is quite an amazing moment. Keep in mind that it is pouring in Vancouver and yet so many peope are running alongside the Gretzky.
12:03 AM: Now, Wayne Gretzky will carry the flame to the waterfront to light the external flame. I wonder if this was the original plan or a last minute replacement for another malfunction?
12:00 AM: The Olympic cauldron has been lit inside the stadium in what is an anti-climatic moment. Catriona Le May Doan does not get to light her section of the torch. This was not what I thought it would be...
11:59 PM: There has been a malfunction with the hydraulic system that operates the cauldron. Only three of what is probably four cauldrons has come up from the floor.
11:57 PM: A moment of suspense as all five torchbearers stand in their spots. What will they do? Will they light it together?
11:55 PM: And now the Great One...Wayne Gretzky receives the flame. Now the question is, will he light the cauldron?
11:55 PM: Nancy Greene receives the flame from Nash and a huge ovation to go with it.
11:54 PM: NBA MVP and All-Star Steve Nash receives the flame.
11:54 PM: Hansen passes the flame to Catriona Le May Doan.
11:53 PM: Here comes the majestic music. It's the Olympic torch!!!! The same torch I saw almost two months ago here in Toronto. It looks like Rick Hansen coming in on his wheelchair.
11:49 PM: French singer Garu sings yet another song.
11:48 PM: Hayley Wickenheiser takes the Athletes' Oath in English. Michel Verrault takes the Judges' Oath in French.
11:47 PM: A minute of silence is held for luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. It is a powerful and memorable moment as 60 000 people stand quietly and solemnly for 60 seconds. They lower the Canadian and Olympic flags to half mast.
11:41 PM: The flag-bearing octet arrives at the flagpole, where they stand to watch the Mounties raise the five-ringed flag. The Olympic Hymn is sung. Jacque Rogge still doesn't know the words (see my Beijing Opening Ceremony post).
11:39 PM: Now comes the Olympic flag, carried by: Betty Fox (mother of Terry Fox), actor Donald Sutherland, Formula One driver Jacque Villeneuve, 1948 figure skating champion Barbara Ann Scott, renowned singer Anne Murray, former UN peacekeeping commander Romeo Dallaire, the great hockey player Bobby Orr (who gets a huge ovation from the crowd), and astronaut Julie Payette (who just finished a tour of the International Space Station)
11:32 PM: "Hallelujah" is sung by KD Lang as the crowd romantically waves their flashlights.
11:30 PM: Our Governor General Michaelle Jean bilingually opens the Vancouver Games!!
11:26 PM: Here's Dr. Jacque Rogge.
11:23 PM: Furlong says this is the "proudest night of my life".
11:22 PM: Furlong says with the help of the Olympics flame, we can all aspire to be Olympian. I couldn't have said it better myself.
11:20 PM: Furlong makes multiple references to Nodar, calling on athletes to compete with his spirit.
11:18 PM: John Furlong calls on the world to share the experience of being "a proud Canadian".
11:16 PM: Here comes John Furlong and Jacque Rogge. They begin jointly at the podium to dedicate a moment to Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luger who passed away in the luge accident earlier in the day. It is an appropriate, solemn remembrance.
11:11 PM: A poem of Canadian identity is recited by a man who was reportedly discovered on YouTube and it is an inspiring and passionate one! He sums up what this country is all about. He sums up why my parents came to this country. Wow.
11:10 PM: We move into the part of the show highlighting the modernity of this country. The light streaks on the ground are like car lights on a busy highway.
11:07 PM: It's another light show galore as images of winter Olympic highlights are projected onto a mountain in the middle of the stage with acrobats twisting and turning in the air with skis and snowboards strapped to their feet.
11:04 PM: What a cooperative audience they've got in there, waving their flashlights with perfect effectiveness.
10:57 PM: The prairie segment of the show begins with a boy running along the wheat fields. He is lifted into the air and gracefully glides and twists in the "wind".
10:52 PM: Woah...are those flames on the heels of their shoes and the tips of their violin bows?
10:50 PM: The crowd gives an enormous ovation to the solo tap dancer. Some more dancers join in. It's one heck of a party scene down there on the floor.
10:48 PM: More fiddling and leaves falling. The bright red maple leaves are pretty good looking.
10:45 PM: Man in a canoe suspended high above the stage pretending to play the violin/fiddle amidst falling maples leaves highlight the "colours of fall" in Canada.
10:37 PM: Sarah McLachlan performs "Ordinary Miracle" along with the orchestra. Great song for this atmosphere. Almost every athlete can relate to an "ordinary miracle" sometime in his or her career.
10:34 PM: Seriously, the light effects are amazing. They're so real. First, it was the ice cracking and now the orca whales swimming in the ocean. I'm impressed.
10:31 PM: THAT is one big bear!! Very very cool with the light effects.
10:25 PM: Commercial break across the channels. Been a great show so far. Let's see what else is next.
10:19 PM: "Bang the Drum", a tribute to the athletes is performed by Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams. They're standing on the "drum" in the centre of the stadium.
10:18 PM: BC Premier Gordon Campbell cracks me up with his enthusiastic flag waving!
10:14 PM: The crowd goes wild as the Maple Leaf enters the stadium! Canada is here, led by flagbearer Clara Hughes. Listen to the crowd. Look at all those camera flashes and waving flags. What an emotional moment. I'm getting goosebumps.
10:12 PM: Listen to the applause as Americans enter. Many Americans probably made their way up to from Washington state. Very warm welcome for that contingent. Vice President Joe Biden is in the stands with his wife Jill.
10:09 PM: Chinese Taipei makes an entrance with their Olympic flag. They send a luger to Vancouver.
10:07 PM: Sweden is sending a huge contingent. And hey look, it's Peter Forsberg holding the flag!
10:02 PM: The Russians want to win 40 medals in Vancouver? I don't think that's going to happen...they'll be lucky to crack 30.
9:59 PM: And here comes another powerhouse-Norway. The Nordic events are pretty much DESIGNED for them.
9:55 PM: Mexico's lone athlete is 51 years old. He's an alpine skiier who hasn't competed in the Olympics since 1994. He IS the oldest athlete in Vancouver.
9:53 PM: NBC points out that Liechenstein has won 9 medals in Winter Olympic history and they have just a population of 34000.
9:52 PM: Latvia is bringing 58 athletes and many of them are likely to contend too.
9:48 PM: The Jamaican Bobsled Team did not make it to Vancouver, but they do send one athlete though, competiting in ski cross.
9:45 PM: Out of 1.1 billion people, Indian sends a meagre 3 to Vancouver.
9:43 PM: Hong Kong has a team of its own?! My dad says she looks like somebody from the north of China, definitely sent by China, he says.
9:40 PM: Germany sure is a colourful contingent.
9:39 PM: Here's the Georgian contingent. A standing ovation from all those in the stadium in memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the luger who perished earlier today in training. The Georgian delegate will leave the stadium immediately after marching in. They have those black armbands on. What a moment.
9:35 PM: Look at the dancers on the sides of the entrance, reminds me of Beijing a little bit.
9:33 PM: More flamboyant pants, this time from the Czech Republic.
9:30 PM: Here comes China!!!!!! Much much better uniforms this time around. Han Xiaopeng, the reigning aerials gold medallist, holds our flag.
9:28 PM: Five athletes from Brazil, a nation of almost 200 million... Cayman Islands has 1 athlete and a population of 49000...
9:27 PM: Jacque Rogge is a surgeon?! And wow, Bermuda's lone athlete trots in with shorts on. Never thought that would happen in the Winter Olympics eh? But honestly, they look pretty tacky with those navy blue suits.
9:24 PM: Here comes the first powerhouse of the Winter Olympics. 81 athletes from Austria and theire co-flagbearers are brothers. And hey, look at those colourful pants of the Azerbaijan contingent.
9:22 PM: Love the snow-like surface the athletes are walking onto.
9:21 PM: The countries are here already? The show part of this is done already?!
9:20 PM: They're doing some cool things with the lights. Look at all those flags projected in the stands.
9:19 PM: As we watch the First Nations gather in the centre of the stadium, Brian Williams points out that Canada has more than 350 First Nations.
9:13 PM: The four different First Nations welcome the world by extending out their hands. Those totem poles look a bit robotic.
9:09 PM: Up goes the Maple Leaf. This rendition of O Canada is a bit too pop/romantic for an OC, don't you think? But VANOC CEO John Furlong did say this was going to be an intimate ceremony.
9:07 PM: They've definitely set a majestic atmosphere at BC Place with the pompous music. Look at all the camera flashes.
9:04 PM: What an entrance by the snowboarder!! Simply beautiful!!
9:02 PM: Love the video of the snowboarder carving down what is a pure cliff. Wow! The list of Winter Olympics host cities is a bit out of the place though.
9:00 PM: The countdown has begun! An awe-inspiring video of Vancouver beauty kicks it off.
8:55 PM: It's time to light the cauldron once again. Tonight, in the shadow of the awe-inspiring beauty of Vancouver harbour, the XXI Winter Olympics will be officially opened. It's a project nearly a decade in the making, which has inspired unprecedented Canadian pride. Tonight, all the anticipation comes to an end and Canada's Games will begin. I cannot describe in words, as a Canadian, what I am feeling tonight. Watching the pre-ceremony shows right now, I am already getting goosebumps. Alright, here we go-Vancouver 2010-about to begin.
-D
Pre-Olympic Preparations
First things first, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training run this afternoon in Whistler. It's always sad when somebody dies young (he was just 21), but it's sadder when it comes on the eve of one of the greatest celebrations on Earth. I really think they should give him a moment of silence tonight during the Opening Ceremony. It is just very very tragic.
Speaking of the OC, I will be live blogging it tonight, starting at 9 PM EST. I had such a blast blogging the 08 Beijing Games, and though this time I can't live blog on a daily basis, I will write as many updates as possible.
In all honesty, I am very very excited about Vancouver 2010. It's more special because I got to see the Olympic torch up close. Going to be a very very fun rest of February. My guess for first Canadian to win gold on home soil: Jen Heil. You just wait for it tomorrow night.
-D
Speaking of the OC, I will be live blogging it tonight, starting at 9 PM EST. I had such a blast blogging the 08 Beijing Games, and though this time I can't live blog on a daily basis, I will write as many updates as possible.
In all honesty, I am very very excited about Vancouver 2010. It's more special because I got to see the Olympic torch up close. Going to be a very very fun rest of February. My guess for first Canadian to win gold on home soil: Jen Heil. You just wait for it tomorrow night.
-D
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Random Chat
Really think Raptors should have won last night's game against Indiana. Bosh and Bargnani combined for almost 70 points. The D was just too weak. 130 points to the Pacers?! That's almost as bad as Atlanta's 149.
The new Leafs looked fabulous last night. But can't judge 'em too quickly though. Dion Phaneuf was agressive and even had an assist. Giguere was solid. Sjostrom also got a point. Hopefully, they'll keep playing like that. I still doubt the Leafs will make the playoffs though. They're too far behind the 8th place threshold. Maybe next year? (So cliché)
SI came out today with its Olympic predictions. They got Canada in second place with 30 medals. I think 30 might just be enough for first in Vancouver. They also have us at 10 golds, which I think is very fair. Can't wait for the games-the countdown is down to single digits now!!!
-D
The new Leafs looked fabulous last night. But can't judge 'em too quickly though. Dion Phaneuf was agressive and even had an assist. Giguere was solid. Sjostrom also got a point. Hopefully, they'll keep playing like that. I still doubt the Leafs will make the playoffs though. They're too far behind the 8th place threshold. Maybe next year? (So cliché)
SI came out today with its Olympic predictions. They got Canada in second place with 30 medals. I think 30 might just be enough for first in Vancouver. They also have us at 10 golds, which I think is very fair. Can't wait for the games-the countdown is down to single digits now!!!
-D
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