tripatlas.com/new’s Olympic correspondent, Chris Kinasz, blogs from the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games with the latest updates, news, and going-ons from the Winter Olympic Games taking place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
VANCOUVER- The opening day of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics has finally arrived!
A good portion of the morning was spent searching eBay, craigslist and the official Olympic ticketing site for a ticket for the evening’s opening ceremony being held at B.C. Place. There were numerous tickets available at sky high prices. I realized that an online purchase was not going to be a realistic option.
Before heading out to B.C. Place, I received the news that a luger had died in a training run. In a very unfortunate accident, a Georgian luger was travelling at a speed approaching 140 km/h when his sled crashed at the Whistler Sliding Center. He later passed away. The television reports were questioning the track’s safety, especially as it has been claimed as the fastest in the world. Apparently, there have been about a dozen crashes during training sessions on the track, including one involving a men’s gold medal favourite.
In Whistler, the race director of the International Luge Federation decided to re-open the track once the walls at the exit of curve 16 were raised and the ice profile was changed. It is believed that these measures will prevent the occurrence of a similar accident.
Today the Sky Train was completely packed. The city was bustling as well. The Olympic Winter Games were now in full swing.
The cheapest ticket to be found on the street for the opening ceremony was $400 for a seat in the upper deck. The line to get into B.C. Place stretched all around the building. Protestors tried to disrupt the opening ceremonies by demonstrating right in front of B.C. Place. Their chants like “No Olympics on stolen Native lands” were no match for the waves of police that stood ready in case a real confrontation might occur.
The opening ceremony was being broadcasted at Robson Square on the wall of the Sears building. Many people gathered there to watch the ceremony. Granville and Robson Street were also packed with people, and it got even busier after the crowds from the opening ceremony joined in on the streets.
The buzz surrounding the opening ceremony in the city was positive, with the highlight being Wayne Gretzky cruising around the city in the back of a pick-up truck carrying the Olympic torch.
Later in the night, there was a light, laser, and firework show at Robson Square called “Ignite the Dream.” It was definitely a sight to be seen.
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