2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

none Vancouver 2010 opening ceremony the Paralympics opening ceremony 2010 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony 2010 Winter Olympicsopening ceremony 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony fiddlers & tappers 2.jpg 2010 Winter Olympics Canadian fiddlers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Olympic Winter Games at BC Place stadium 2010 02 12 yes 18:00 – 21:00 PST (UTC−8) BC Place Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 49 16 36 N 123 6 43 W region:CA-BC_type:landmark_scale:2000 inline,title dms Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) MxZpUueDAvc Full opening ceremony on the IOC YouTube channel The opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held on February 12, 2010, beginning at 6:00 pm PST (02:00 UTC, February 13) at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was the first Olympic opening ceremony to be held indoors. It was directed by David Atkins. The event was officially opened by Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada,http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13510 Governor General to Open the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Governor General of Canada February 8, 2010 2010-02-10Gov. Gen. Jean to open 2010 Games: PM 2009-06-27 Edmonton Sun Canadian Press the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada.http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13288 Role of the Governor General Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) 13 February 2010 The opening ceremony was dedicated by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) to Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian luger who had died earlier in the day in a training run. An audience of 61,600 was in attendance at the venue, and there were an estimated 4,500 performers.Donegan Lawrence 12 February 2010 Georgian luge competitor dies in practice at the Winter Olympics The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/12/georgian-luge-competitor-killed 10 September 2022 Production The production's director was David Atkins, who directed the Sydney 2000 Olympic and 2006 Doha Asian Games ceremonies.PIGI projection makes dazling opening ceremony in Doha Asian Games December 2, 2006 Xinhua The opening and closing ceremonies had a combined budget of $48.5 million (it received $20 million () funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage while VANOC contributed the rest).https://ottawacitizen.com/life/Heritage+minister+disappointed+lack+French/2565813/story.html Heritage minister 'disappointed' by lack of French Mike Barber Jeff Lee 2010-02-15 Ottawa Citizen 2010-02-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20100217065231/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Heritage%2Bminister%2Bdisappointed%2Black%2BFrench/2565813/story.html 17 February 2010 dead Much of the instrumental music for the ceremony was written by Dave Pierce, Gavin Greenaway, and Donovan Seidle.http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/vanoc-adds-top-creative-talent-to-team-orchestrating-the-magic-of-the-opening--closing-and-nightly-victory-ceremonies-of-the-vancouver-2010-olympic-winter-games--volunteer-performers-still-needed_65658xU.html VANOC adds top creative talent 2 March 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100310013451/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/vanoc-adds-top-creative-talent-to-team-orchestrating-the-magic-of-the-opening--closing-and-nightly-victory-ceremonies-of-the-vancouver-2010-olympic-winter-games--volunteer-performers-still-needed_65658xU.html 10 March 2010 live At certain moments of the show, the music was performed by the orchestra conducted by Pierce, but at others the music was performed for technical reasons at the Stadium via playback. In an interview published on December 15, 2010, John Furlong, the CEO of VANOC revealed that Celine Dion had been contracted to sing the national anthem at the opening ceremony.Furlong rejects official languages report; Vanoc boss says 38 complaints can't compare to 10,000 letters of thanks Lee Jeff The Vancouver Sun December 16, 2010 A11 But, she unilaterally terminated the contract when she discovered in late 2009 that she was pregnant and was replaced by then 16-year-old Nikki Yanofsky. In addition, Furlong also revealed that "a famous Quebec composer" was contracted to provide musical elements to the show. That composer, whom he would not name, backed out of arrangement months before the Games over what he termed "philosophical differences." As a result, the artist refused to allow VANOC access to his music's rights and the organizing committee had to replan the final segment of the cultural part of the ceremony. There is speculation within the local media that the opening ceremony's cultural show finale act "We Are More," featuring slam poetry by Shane Koyczan, served as a last minute replacement for the ending segment featuring the Quebec composer's music. VANOC had also requested that the Cirque du Soleil members to perform in all the show segments; however, the Cirque was unable to fit this into their schedule. Program Dedication At 5:59 (PST), a PA system announced that the opening ceremony would be dedicated in memory of the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who had died in a training accident earlier that day.http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2010/02/13/12864051-qmi.html Opening Ceremony timeline Friesen Paul 13 February 2010 Toronto Sun 13 February 2010 6 May 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100506013614/http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2010/02/13/12864051-qmi.html dead Opening section Giant video screenshttps://vancouversun.com/Vancouver+Olympic+opening+ceremony+Wayne+Gretzky+lights+cauldron/2558137/story.html Vancouver Olympic opening ceremony: Wayne Gretzky lights cauldron Parry Chris Canwest News Service February 12, 2010 The Vancouver Sun 13 February 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100216115925/http://www.vancouversun.com/Vancouver%2BOlympic%2Bopening%2Bceremony%2BWayne%2BGretzky%2Blights%2Bcauldron/2558137/story.html 16 February 2010 showed Canadian snowboarder Johnny Lyall sliding down a mountain slope, with the dates and locations of previous Winter Olympic games were recalled in voiceover. As the 1988 games in Calgary were mentioned, Lyall passed through a row of torchbearers in the shape of the Canadian symbol: the maple leaf. When Vancouver 2010 is announced, the video cuts to live footage of Lyall snowboarding off of a jump and through a set of Olympic Rings inside the stadium, while snow and ice exploded from the rings, and him welcoming the crowd.http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_14393155?source=pkg Despite Luge Death, Olympics' Opening Ceremony Goes On Crary David February 12, 2010 Associated Press Denver Post https://web.archive.org/web/20141212013656/http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_14393155?source=pkg December 12, 2014 live National anthem A guard of honour mounted by the RCMP marched the Canadian Flag to the flagpost. There a guard of honour composed of Canadian Forces members raised the flag. Nikki Yanofsky performed an arrangement of the national anthem, "O Canada", singing in English and French. Welcome by the First Nations of Canada thumb|right|One of the four welcomes delivered by the First Nations representatives The First Nations in whose traditional territories the games were held - the Squamish Nation, Musqueam Indian Band, Lil'wat First Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation - were recognized as heads of state and seated directly behind the Canadian Governor General and the prime minister. Four Coast Salish welcome poles were raised from the centre of the stadium, and greetings were given to the crowd (and the world) by members of the Four Host First Nations in their respective languages as well as English and French. The arms of the poles were raised in a traditional gesture of greeting to welcome the athletes and the world. Following the greetings, groups of dancers from other main culture-regions of Indigenous peoples in Canada were introduced, including the Métis Nation and the Inuit, as well as the Peoples of the Northwest, the Peoples of the Plains and the Peoples of the East and took places around the welcome poles and a large drum surface between them, forming a welcome circle to prepare for the forthcoming Parade of the Nations and danced traditional welcoming dances as the athletes paraded in. Parade of the Nations thumb|left|The Georgian athletes entering the stadium. To remember Nodar Kumaritashvili's death, a black ribbon was tied on the flag. thumb|left|The entrance of the Canadian athletes into BC Place Stadium. 2010 Winter Olympics national flag bearers The participating countries marched in, with Greece coming first, then the other nations ending with the host nation, Canada. The names of the nations were announced first in French and followed by English, the official languages of the Olympics, which also happened to be the official languages of the host nation. The nations entered in alphabetic order of their country names in English because it is the more dominant of the two languages in Vancouver and in the province of British Columbia. The team from Georgia was greeted with a standing ovation out of respect for their colleague, Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in a luge accident earlier that day. The team left an empty space in the processional and left the stadium immediately following the procession. They had indicated they would not participate in the opening ceremony or withdraw completely, but decided against doing so. The team wore black scarves and armbands to honor Kumaritashvili while a black ribbon was affixed to the team's flag.Death Casts Pall Over OlympicsNovember 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes . The Wall Street Journal. 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2014-12-14. Teams from some countries, including Australia, Azerbaijan also wore black armbands in respect of Kumaritashvili.Black armband tribute for fallen rival. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2010-02-12. Retrieved 2010-02-13. The United States, the largest delgation, received one of the loudest ovations. After the United States, Uzbekistan were the only team to enter before host nation Canada. Athlete Tribute Song thumb|right|Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams on centre stage. Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams, both themselves Vancouver residents2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony 2010-02-12 NBC Sports television performed "Bang the Drum", which was written by Adams and producer Jim Vallance as a tribute to the Olympic athletes present. The Landscape of a Dream The cultural section of the opening ceremony was titled "The Landscape of a Dream" whose purpose was to celebrate the diverse geography and people of Canada. It was directed by David Atkins and the narration was provided by Donald Sutherland, himself one of the Olympic flag bearers. It featured tributes to different regions of Canada. Hymn to the North thumb|upright|Spirit bear puppet A Tribute to Northern Canada After Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams had finished their performance, snow began to fall throughout the stadium. Performers, dressed in winter clothes representing native and a variety of immigrant groups, walked about and mingled on the stage floor. Their leader took his staff and banged it on the ground, producing waves of light rippling on the floor. The northern lights and different constellations of animals appeared. A giant, sparkling puppet (one of the largest puppets ever created) of a spirit or Kermode bear that rose from the stadium floor, and hovered over the performers, who were standing on a simulated ice floe.https://montrealgazette.com/technology/Dazzling+images+with+irony+match/2569702/story.html Dazzling images, with irony to match Stephen Hume The Gazette (Montreal) 2010-02-16 2010-02-27 June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/story.html?id=9ce9d745-7565-4ea7-8380-30cec4560377 12th and Cambie: Games people play Mike Howell Vancouver Courier 2010-02-17 2010-02-27 June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes https://www.espn.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=reilly_rick&id=4916058 Are we having fun yet? Rick Reilly ESPN Rick Reilly 2010-02-16 2010-02-27 After a few seconds, the ice began to break up, and the performers "floated" to the edge of the stage, where they disappeared.http://voices.yahoo.com/vancouver-2010-opening-ceremonies-recap-5469061.html Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies Recap - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com 2014-04-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140729020644/http://voices.yahoo.com/vancouver-2010-opening-ceremonies-recap-5469061.html 2014-07-29 The ice breaking away gave way to a huge arctic sea, where simulated whales swam while breathing until next transition. Sacred Grove Opened with brown Coast Salish welcome poles rising up, symbolizing welcome. Red salmon rose from the floor to the ceiling via the poles, representing salmon spawning.http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/overheardolympics/2010/02/13/what-we-saw-opening-ceremonies-vancouver-2010-olympic-games What We Saw at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Vancouver Observer 2016-12-11 Foliage appeared on top of the poles, symbolizing a lush grove of trees. Dancers from Alberta Ballet and Ballet BC assembled around the grove as a quote from My Heart Soars by Chief Dan George was read. Sarah McLachlan, herself a Vancouver resident though born in Halifax, performed her song "Ordinary Miracle" while the dancers danced in and around the grove. The ballet dancers also danced to "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber as the grove turned into a starry sky. All turned white and the performers rose to the ceiling after this piece finished. Rhythms of the Autumn This tribute to the fiddling traditions of Canada paying homage to the Anglo-Celtic roots of European Canadian settler culture began with the appearance of the horned fiddler in a flying canoe, a reference to the story of the Chasse-galerie, where the Devil rode a magical canoe. As the canoe descended from the ceiling, the opening of the song "The Old Ways" was performed by Loreena McKennitt. Fiddler/aerialist Colin Maier, dressed as the Devil from the French-Canadian folk legend, attired in stylized Celtic clothing, duelled with his shadow that appears on the moon (a pre-recorded projection of Colin fiddling and dancing a brief jig). The stage was here covered with big red maple leaves, and Colin's cape was also a large leaf itself. The song played during this sequence are the first moments of "The Old Ways". There were six lead "Hero Fiddlers" on the centre stage: Andre Brunet (of Le Vent du Nord, representing Quebec), Daniel Lapp (representing British Columbia, where Vancouver is located), Sierra Noble (representing the Métis fiddle), Samantha Robichaud (representing Acadian/Cape Breton fiddling), April Verch (from Ontario, despite representing the Prairies) and famous Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. Surrounding the Hero Fiddlers are a group of tap dancers representing the Canadian stepdance traditions, dressed in costumes matching those worn by each fiddler. When the five Hero Fiddlers start performing together, the dancers break into a ceilidh polka. A tap dancer, Brock Jellison, dressed in a hybrid costume of the Hero Fiddlers' outfits, called a river to encircle the main podium. At this point, a group of "Hero Tappers" placed above the "river" join into a modern urban tap routine, transitioning the folk sequences to contemporary Canada and urban Vancouver. During the segment, fiddler Calvin Vollrath, who was sitting next to the orchestra, performed "Fiddle Nation", a tune he'd composed; each segment represents a certain fiddling style in Canada. This portion of the ceremony was concluded by Ashley MacIsaac who performed his Celtic punk rendition of the traditional 19th century Scottish strathspey tune "Devil in the Kitchen".http://www.thesession.org/tunes/display/1746 The Session: Tunes - The Devil in the Kitchen (Strathspey) 2010-01-14 While Ashley performed, the Hero Tappers turned on sparklers on their tap shoes. Who Has Seen the Wind "Who Has Seen the Wind" was a tribute to Canadian Prairies. A lone boy, Thomas Saulgrain (L'École Nationale de Cirque) stood in the centre of the floor in a square of wheat field. A voice quoted from the novel Who Has Seen the Wind (novel) by W. O. Mitchell. As the boy began running, he was lifted up and performed ballet on fly wire. A rendition of the song "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell was played during this segment. Peaks of Endeavour thumb|right|Aerialists mimicking skiing and snowboarding down a mountain "Peaks of Endeavour" was a tribute to the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada. After the previous segment had ended, a storm was stimulated and clouds seemed to fall to the ground. As the clouds gave away, mountains, resembling the Rocky Mountains, rose from the floor. A George Vancouver quote was read by Donald Sutherland, and skiers and snowboarders hung from wires to simulate going down the artificial mountains. Images of winter sports in action exploded onto the mountains, which finally gave way to sports victories. Inline skaters mimicked figure skaters and speed skaters, circling the artificial mountains as the videos of sports changed to the Vancouver skyline. Coloured lines of light representing flowing traffic surrounded the mountain. We Are More After the mountains that had been the feature for "Peaks of Endeavor" fell away, Shane Koyczan performed slam poetry, a variation on his "We Are More". (transcript) Performers formed a giant maple leaf around Koyczan with red flares to end off his section. Opening remarks/Official Opening The opening remarks began with Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC, who offered sympathy for the loss of Georgian luge athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili. A welcome from John Furlong, Chair of the Vancouver Organizing Committee, was then delivered. (transcript) A statement by Rogge followed, mixing English and French. Finally, Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, declared the games officially open, first in French, then in English. Song of Peace thumb|left|k.d. lang performing k.d. lang performed a version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". While she was singing, doves, the symbol of peace, were projected on the stage floor, and rose from the stage floor to the ceiling via columns to symbolize their release. Entry of the Olympic Flag thumb|right|upright|Entrance of the Olympic flag Former hockey star Bobby Orr; musician Anne Murray; Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve; Betty Fox, the mother of cancer research champion Terry Fox; actor Donald Sutherland; gold medal figure skater Barbara Ann Scott; UNAMIR commander Roméo Dallaire; and Julie Payette, Canadian astronaut, carried the flag into the stadium. They then transferred the flag to members of the RCMP, who then raised the flag. Canadian opera singer Measha Brueggergosman sang the Olympic Hymn, mixing English and French. Afterwards, a minute of silence was observed for the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili's death, during which time both the Canadian and Olympic flags were lowered to half-mast. Upon learning of Kumaritashvili's death, the Governor General of Canada-in-Council ordered flags on federal government buildings throughout the province of British Columbia, including at all Olympic venues, flown at half-mast until midnight, February 13, 2010.Half-Masting of the Flag http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pgm/meb-hm/index-eng.cfm 2010-02-14 Department of Canadian Heritage https://web.archive.org/web/20100325120345/http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pgm/meb-hm/index-eng.cfm 25 March 2010 dead dmy-all Olympic Oaths Canadian woman's ice hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser took the oath on behalf of all 2010 Olympic athletes in English, while the officials' oath was taken by short-track speed skating referee Michel Verrault in French.https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=capress-oly_games_ceremonies_oath-2304838&prov=capress&type=lgns Hayley Wickenheiser reads athletes' oath at opening ceremonies of Olympic Games The Canadian Press 13 February 2010 Yahoo! Sports Canada 13 February 2010 Song Garou sang "Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin" (A Little Higher, A Little Further),Yahoo! Babelfish translation written by Jean-Pierre Ferland. Lighting of the Cauldron thumb|right|The interior cauldron, in the process of being lit thumb|right|The interior cauldron, fully lit. thumb|American Vice President (and future President) Joe Biden and his wife Jill at the opening ceremony. The exterior cauldron, after having been lit|thumb Rick Hansen, paraplegic athlete and paralympic medalist, carried the flame into BC Place stadium and lit the torch of speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, who in turn lit the torch of basketball All-Star Steve Nash. Nash then lit skier Nancy Greene's torch who lit the torch of Wayne Gretzky, Hall of Fame hockey player. Le May Doan, Nash, Greene, and Gretzky then made their way to their four pre-determined locations on the stadium floor to await the raising of the cauldron. Due to a malfunction of the Olympic cauldron's hydraulic system, only three of the four arms came up before it was lit. Le May Doan's designated arm of the cauldron had malfunctioned, so she stood by as the other three athletes lit the cauldron at the same time by touching the base of the arms with their respective torches.2010-02-14 Anxious moments during cauldron malfunction https://www.smh.com.au/sport/anxious-moments-during-cauldron-malfunction-20100214-nz57.html 2021-05-26 The Sydney Morning Herald en Under IOC rules, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron must be witnessed by those attending the opening ceremony, implying that it must be lit at the location where the ceremony is taking place. Although another IOC rule states that the cauldron should be witnessed outside by the entire residents of the entire host city, this was not possible since the ceremony took place indoors. However, VANOC secretly built a second outdoor cauldron next to the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre, and Gretzky was secretly chosen to light this permanent cauldron.https://vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/2010+Opening+ceremony+Colour+culture+Gretzky+accidental+tripod/2558705/story.html 2010 Opening Ceremony: Colour, culture, Gretzky and the accidental tripod Feb 13, 2010 vancouversun.com CanWest Publishing 2010-02-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20100215055116/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/2010%2BOpening%2Bceremony%2BColour%2Bculture%2BGretzky%2Baccidental%2Btripod/2558705/story.html 15 February 2010 dead Quickly word spread through the downtown Vancouver area that Gretzky was indeed the final torchbearer, and very soon a crush of people came running after the police escort to cheer Gretzky on and hopefully catch a glimpse of him carrying the torch to the outdoor cauldron.https://vancouversun.com/People+chase+Wayne+Gretzky+through+streets+Vancouver/2558755/story.html People chase Gretzky through the streets of Vancouver Crawford Tiffany February 13, 2010 Vancouver Sun CanWest Publishing https://web.archive.org/web/20100216130848/http://www.vancouversun.com/People%2Bchase%2BWayne%2BGretzky%2Bthrough%2Bstreets%2BVancouver/2558755/story.html February 16, 2010 dead The closing ceremony of the games would begin with a tongue-in-cheek homage to the indoor cauldron malfunction, featuring mime Yves Dagenais repairing and finally raising the missing arm of the cauldron, and offering Le May Doan a chance to finally light her arm of the interior cauldron. Anthems CAN National Anthem of Canada – Nikki Yanofsky IOC 1986 Olympic Hymn – Measha Brueggergosman Dignitaries and other officials in attendance Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada Jean-Daniel Lafond, Viceregal consort of Canada Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada Laureen Harper, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Canadahttp://1click.indiatimes.com/photo/06ov3CNfxv6M3 Opening Ceremony 12 February 2010 India Times 19 February 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025550/http://1click.indiatimes.com/photo/06ov3CNfxv6M3 13 July 2011 Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, and his wife Nancy Campbell Chiefs of the Four Host First Nations whose traditional lands the Olympics were hosted on (treated as heads of state):Robert Matas First Nation leaders to get the presidential treatment http://www.ctvolympics.ca/about-vancouver/news/newsid=21095.html The Globe and Mail 2009-11-30 2010-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20100309235357/http://www.ctvolympics.ca/about-vancouver/news/newsid%3D21095.html 9 March 2010 live Lil'wat Chief Leonard Andrew Musqueam Chief Ernie Campbell Squamish Chief Bill Williams Tsleil-Waututh Chief Justin George Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estoniahttp://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_news/?doc=4608 Estonian and Latvian presidents to go to Olympics in Vancouver February 2, 2010 The Baltic Course 19 February 2010 Evelin Ilves, First Lady of Estonia Laine Jänes, Estonian minister of culture Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgiahttp://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Opening+ceremony+for+Winter+Olympics+in+Vancouver&expire=&urlID=423664958&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2F20100213_Opening_ceremony_for_Winter_Olympics_in_Vancouver.html&partnerID=165761&cid=84289902 Opening ceremony for Winter Olympics in Vancouver February 13, 2010 The Philadelphia Inquirer 18 February 2010 Frank Fitzpatrick 8 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110708165008/http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Opening+ceremony+for+Winter+Olympics+in+Vancouver&expire=&urlID=423664958&fb=Y&url=http:%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2F20100213_Opening_ceremony_for_Winter_Olympics_in_Vancouver.html&partnerID=165761&cid=84289902 dead Valdis Zatlers, President of Latviahttp://www.reitingi.lv/en/news/world/1152.htm President Zatlers to attend opening ceremonies at Vancouver Olympics February 2, 2010 Latvijas reitingi 18 February 2010 Albert II, Prince of Monaco Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Federal Council Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Joe Biden, Vice President of the United Stateshttps://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Olympics+begin+with+extravaganza/2553289/story.html Olympics begin with an extravaganza Strachan Alex February 12, 2010 Montreal Gazette https://web.archive.org/web/20100324231443/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Olympics%2Bbegin%2Bwith%2Bextravaganza/2553289/story.html 24 March 2010 dead March 26, 2012 (representing President Barack Obama) Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United Stateshttps://vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Vice+President+Biden+slated+attend+opening+ceremony/2516291/story.html Vice-President Biden slated to attend opening ceremony Ward Doug February 3, 2010 Vancouver Sun 18 February 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100206214405/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Vice%2BPresident%2BBiden%2Bslated%2Battend%2Bopening%2Bceremony/2516291/story.html 6 February 2010 dead Alexander Zhukov - Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and President of the Russian Olympic Committee Prince Constantine Alexios of Greece and Denmark, member of the Greek Royal Family, grandson of last Greek king and 1960 Olympian Constantine II Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark (representing the Queen of Denmark) Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark John Dowling Coates - Member of the International Olympic Committee representing Australia. Gerhard Heiberg - Current IOC member representing Norway Sir Craig Reedie - Current IOC member representing Great Britain Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange (representing the Queen of the Netherlands) Princess Máxima of the Netherlands Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands Princess Alexia of the Netherlands Princess Ariane of the Netherlands Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, lighter of the cauldron at the Lillehammer Olympics (representing the King of Norway) Anne, Princess Royal (representing Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada)http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201002152932/dutch-royals/winter-olympics/vancouver/1/ Holland's Willem-Alexander and Maxima provide royal cheer in Vancouver February 15, 2010 Hello Magazine https://web.archive.org/web/20100218110032/http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201002152932/dutch-royals/winter-olympics/vancouver/1/ 18 February 2010 live March 26, 2012 Jan Fischer, Prime Minister of the Czech Republichttp://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=39837.html?cid=rsstsn News from the 2010 Winter Olympics Mickleburgh Rod February 12, 2010 The Globe and Mail 13 February 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100309235354/http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid%3D39837.html?cid=rsstsn 9 March 2010 live Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlandshttp://www.government.nl/documents-and-publications/press-releases/2010/02/02/winter-olympic-games.html Winter Olympic Games February 2, 2010 Government of the Netherlands https://web.archive.org/web/20141212015851/http://www.government.nl/documents-and-publications/press-releases/2010/02/02/winter-olympic-games.html December 12, 2014 live Mario Pescante - IOC member representing Italy. Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Prime Minister of Russiahttp://www.gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216134095.html Sochi 2014 Delegation Visits Vancouver 2010 At Five-Year Countdown February 5, 2010 Gamesbids.com 18 February 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090416042625/http://gamesbids.com/eng/other_news/1216134095.html 16 April 2009 Faruk Nafız Özak, Minister of State for Turkeyhttp://www.turkishweekly.net/news/97593/state-minister-ozak-travels-to-canada.html State Minister Ozak Travels to Canada February 11, 2010 The Journal of the Turkish Weekly 18 February 2010June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes Sebastian Coe, head of the London 2012 Organizing Committee Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Olympics of the United Kingdomhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/01/winter-olympics-london-2012 Bottle that Vancouver enthusiasm and London 2012 will really hit the spot Jowell Tessa March 1, 2010 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20140106202526/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/mar/01/winter-olympics-london-2012 January 6, 2014 live David Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California Mario Vázquez Raña, President of both the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony television CTV Sports 2010-02-12 Horst Köhler, President of Germany Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the IOC Maria Teresa Samaranch - President of the Spanish Federation of Sports and daughter of Juan Antonio Samaranch Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC Dick Pound, Current member of the IOC (Canada) and former head of WADA. René Fasel, President of the IIHF Leandro Negre, President of the FIHhttp://www.fieldhockey.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=35 Home - Field Hockey Canada Fieldhockey.ca 2014-06-20 2016-12-11 Richard Carrión Current IOC member representing, Puerto Rico. Nawal El Moutawakel, former Olympic gold medalist and current IOC member representing, Morocco. Sam Ramsamy, Current IOC member representing, South Africa. Reception Media comments Toronto Star arts critic Richard Ouzounian gave the ceremony a negative review, blasting the proceedings as "an unimaginatively conceived and loosely executed spectacle that promised much and delivered little."http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/764926--ouzounian-medium-marvellous-message-mediocre Ouzounian: Medium marvellous, message mediocre Richard Ouzounian Richard Ouzounian 2010-02-13 2010-02-13 Toronto The Star https://web.archive.org/web/20100216044928/http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/764926--ouzounian-medium-marvellous-message-mediocre 16 February 2010 live The New York Times Charles McGrath described the event as "like New Year's Eve, but a tasteful, well-behaved New Year's Eve", and that it was "authentically and unabashedly Canadian".https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/sports/olympics/14mcgrath.html?pagewanted=print A Tasteful Way to Start the Olympic Games The New York Times Charles McGrath February 13, 2010 2010-02-15 Cleve Dheensaw of the Times-Colonist (Victoria) described the ceremony as "moving and memorable."http://www.timescolonist.com/story_print.html?id=2560946&sponsor= Opening ceremony done right Cleve Dheensaw Times-Colonist February 13, 2010 2010-02-13 October 2010 H3llBot Paul Wells of Maclean's described the event as "sometimes incomprehensible, but sometimes heart-stoppingly beautiful."http://www.macleans.ca/2010/02/13/the-opening-ceremonies-to-see-ourselves-as-others-see-us/ The Opening Ceremonies: To see ourselves as others see us Paul Wells 2010-01-13 Maclean's 2010-01-13 Also from Maclean's, Wayne Gretzky's trip on a truck through downtown Vancouver to the waterfront cauldron was described as a "redneck Popemobile" by writer Scott Feschuk.http://www.macleans.ca/2010/02/13/the-opening-ceremonies-a-whistler-perspective/ The Opening Ceremonies: A Whistler Perspective Scott Feschuk Scott Feschuk 2010-02-13 Maclean's 2010-02-16 The Ottawa Citizens Mark Sutcliffe deemed the occasion "tasteful but dull, well-behaved and sometimes thoughtful. You've got Canada nailed." He also found the ceremony lacked a portrayal of contemporary urban Canadian society.https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/Only+Canada+Pity/2562841/story.html Only in Canada, eh? Pity Mark Sutcliffe Ottawa Citizen February 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100217051658/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/Only%2BCanada%2BPity/2562841/story.html 17 February 2010 dead 2012-03-26 Nikki Yanofsky's performance of "O Canada" received mixed reactions.https://montrealgazette.com/story_print.html?id=2562656 So, how'd you think she did? The Gazette (Montreal) 2010-02-14 2010-02-26 October 2010 H3llBothttp://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=173679 No medal for Yanofsky's anthem Jason Keller 2010-02-17 Now Toronto 2010-02-26 2012-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20121015021420/http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=173679 dead McGrath panned the performance as a "power ballad" while Ouzounian deemed it an "uncomfortable alliance of pop and jazz". Conversely, Wells praised the "gorgeously languid" singing while Alex Strachan of Canwest News Service also had a generally positive reaction taking exception only to a "backbeat" in the arrangement.Critiquing TV coverage of Games Alex Strachan Canwest News Service 2010-02-21 Trevor Payne of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir took issue with the "arrangement and interpretation" of the anthem but also found that Yanofsky was "gifted" in terms of vocal quality. Bilingualism James Moore, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and Quebec Premier Jean Charesthttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/olympics-need-more-french-heritage-minister-1.873048 Olympics need more French: heritage minister 2010-02-14 CBC 2010-02-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20100216151710/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/02/14/olympics-french-charest-moore.html 16 February 2010 live both expressed disappointment in the limited amount of French content during the ceremony. The Canadian Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, was of the impression that the event was "developed, perceived and presented in English with a French song." Fraser's office received numerous complaints regarding the ceremony.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/watchdog-probes-lack-of-french-at-olympics-1.949419 2010-02-16 Watchdog probes lack of French at Olympics CBC News 2010-02-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20100218120936/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/02/16/fraser-french016.html 18 February 2010 live VANOC, however, defended the case and said that they had made "a very deliberate focus and effort to ensure a strong celebration of Quebec culture and language."VANOC defends French content of opening ceremony February 15, 2010 Rod Mickleburgh The Globe and Mail A6 They also said that there was a significant amount of French in the opening ceremony.Not everyone happy with amount of French content at kickoff February 15, 2010 Jeff Lee The Vancouver Sun A2 David Atkins said that the ceremonies did celebrate francophone Canada.Political bigwigs and languages commissioner decry lack of French at Games February 14, 2010 Dene Moore Canadian Press Multiculturalism There are critics saying that 41% of Metro Vancouver residents are visible minorities yet these groups are mostly absent from the opening ceremony. VANOC CEO John Furlong hints that VANOC would try to address this issue in the closing ceremony.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/more-visible-minorities-at-closing-vanoc-hints-1.873045 More visible minorities at closing, VANOC hints CBC 2010-02-27 2010-02-18 Television The international television audience varied from source. VANOC estimated more than a billion watched the ceremony.http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/canada-unveils-its-landscape-of-dreams_274410qj.html Canada unveils its 'landscape of dreams' to welcome athletes and world at the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games 12 February 2010 VANOC 25 April 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100409174824/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/canada-unveils-its-landscape-of-dreams_274410qj.html April 9, 2010 North American ratings On both sides of the Canada-US border, this opening ceremony drew high television ratings. In Canada, this ceremony aired on the CTV Television Network and 10 other channels (all part of a CTV-Rogers media consortium), in a total of 11 languages. The broadcast drew an average of 13.3 million viewers across the country at any given moment, and 23 million Canadians, 69 percent of the national audience, watching at least a portion of the 3.5-hour ceremony. It was, for a period, the most-watched television event in Canadian history; these numbers were surpassed on the final day of the Games by the gold medal game of the Men's hockey tournament, which drew 16.6 million viewers.Record numbers watch Canada win hockey gold http://www.digitalhome.ca/2010/03/record-numbers-watch-canada-win-hockey-gold/ March 2, 2010 28 March 2010 South of the border, NBC reported an average of 32.6 million viewers,http://www.sportingnews.com/olympics/article/2010-02-13/nbc-draws-impressive-viewership-for-opening-ceremony NBC draws impressive viewership for opening ceremony February 13, 2010 2010-03-26 The Sporting News https://web.archive.org/web/20100215192631/http://www.sportingnews.com/olympics/article/2010-02-13/nbc-draws-impressive-viewership-for-opening-ceremony 2010-02-15 dead making it the second-most watched non-United States Winter Olympics, behind the Lillehammer Games in 1994, which drew 33.8 million, and the third most-watched non-United States Olympics, behind the previous one, the Summer Olympics in Beijing two years before (34.2 million) and Lillehammer, and with 67.5 million viewers watching at least a portion of it, it was the most watched non-United States Winter Olympics, and the second-most watched non-United States Olympics, behind Beijing, as that drew 69.9 million viewers.https://www.today.com/popculture/32-6-million-watch-opening-winter-olympics-wbna35384274 32.6 million watch opening of Winter Olympics Associated Press February 13, 2010 NBC News 26 March 2010 https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93522548 Live From Beijing: Computer-Enhanced Fireworks August 12, 2008 David Folkenfilk NPR 26 March 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100423194116/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93522548 23 April 2010 live Soundtrack no Sounds of Vancouver 2010: Opening Ceremony Commemorative Album soundtrack Various artists Sounds of Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony Commemorative Album.jpeg February 13, 2010 Pop, Rock, Classical 68:56 EMI Music Canada David Atkinsalbum w204707/charts-awards yes allmusic [Sounds Of Vancouver 2010: Olympic Opening Ceremony] Allmusic 2010 Winter Olympics Canada's Hockey Anthems: Sounds of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games 2010 Sounds of Vancouver 2010: Closing Ceremony Commemorative Album 2010 A soundtrack, Sounds of Vancouver 2010: Opening Ceremony Commemorative Album (fr Musique de Vancouver 2010 : L'album commémoratif de la cérémonie d'ouverture des Jeux), was released through the iTunes Store on February 12, 2010, containing many studio recordings of the performances from the opening ceremony.http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/-vancouver-2010-signs-new-licensees-to-create-products--auction-off-memorabilia-capturing-memories-of-games-_289318MK.html Vancouver 2010 signs new licensees to create products, auction off memorabilia capturing memories of Games 22 February 2010 Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics 12 March 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100311200242/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/-vancouver-2010-signs-new-licensees-to-create-products--auction-off-memorabilia-capturing-memories-of-games-_289318MK.html 11 March 2010 live It charted at #6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, and has sold over 50,000 copies.Cigdem Iltan Calvin Vollrath brings Canadian tunes to world at Olympics https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Calvin+Vollrath+brings+Canadian+tunes+world+Olympics/2596423/story.html Edmonton Journal 22 February 2010 12 March 2010 November 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes The song performed by Garou, "Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin (A little higher, a little further)", was released on the accompanying soundtrack for the closing ceremony. Artist Fire on the Mountain The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 4:20 Canadian Athletes The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 1:58 Bang the Drum Bryan Adams & Nelly Furtado 3:48 O Canada Nikki Yanofsky 3:21 Aboriginal Welcome Singers and Drummers of the Four Host Nations 2:53 Hymn to the North The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra & Donald Sutherland 2:55 Sacred Grove The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra & Donald Sutherland 2:56 Ordinary Miracle & Fantasy Ballet Sarah McLachlan 6:32 Rhythms of the Fall The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 6:19 Who Has Seen the Wind Donald Sutherland 0:54 Both Sides, Now Joni Mitchell 5:27 Storm The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 1:54 Peaks of Endeavour The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 6:04 Raising of the Olympic Flag The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 2:55 We Are More Shane Koyczan 2:06 Olympic Anthem Measha Brueggergosman 4:36 Parade of Athletes The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 3:15 The Olympic Flame The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Orchestra 6:43 Chart (2010)PeakpositionCanadian Albums Chart6Digital Albums2 See also 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony 2010 Winter Paralympics opening ceremony References 30em External links MxZpUueDAvc Olympic Vancouver 2010 upload of the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony ,SearchTerms:'Vancouver%202010%20Opening%20ceremony%20media%20guid',SortField:!n,SortOrder:0,TemplateParams:(Scenario:,Scope:Default,Size:!n,Source:,Support:),UseSpellChecking:!n))) Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Media Guide (as found on the Olympic Library) Olympics Canada Ceremony Opening Category:Olympics opening ceremonies Category:Ceremonies in Canada