2010 Memories, Day 1: Tragedy before Olympic flame lit
Credit to Author: Harrison Mooney| Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2020 21:34:29 +0000
Follow along as we look back at the moments that made headlines during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Feb. 12, 2010: The day began with a tragic report from the Whistler Sliding Centre. The morning of the opening ceremony, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died after losing control of his sled and hitting a steel pole during a training run at the notoriously fast track.
That evening at B.C. Place Stadium, the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) dedicated the opening ceremony to the fallen luger and his teammates received a standing ovation.
A memorial for luger Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia in Whistler Village BC at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Friday February 12, 2010.
Hockey great Wayne Gretzky lights the outdoor Vancouver 2010 Olympic cauldron at the conclusion of the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, BC Friday, February 12, 2010.
VANCOUVER, BC.: FEBRUARY 12, 2010 – The Olympic torch is carried by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Vancouver's Stanley Park Friday, February 12, 2010 as the flame makes its final pass through the city on its way to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Ian Lindsay/ PNG) (For story by reporter) [PNG Merlin Archive] B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell in blue jacket on left
FILE — WHISTLER, BC.: FEBRUARY 10, 2010 — Luge participant Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia blazes past the Olympic rings during training at The Whistler Sliding Centre in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games in this February 10, 2010 file photo. Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a training accident Friday February 12, 2010. (Peter J. Thompson / Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-LUGE-MEN
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 12: Iason Abramashvili of Georgia carries his national flag into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics at BC Place on February 12, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. The Georgian flag carries a black band in memory of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who was killed today after crashing while making a practice run in training.
VANCOUVER, BC: FEBRUARY 12, 2010 — A snowboarder flies through the Olympic Rings at BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN Snowboarder Launches the Opening This was shot at the beginning of the opening ceremony in BC Place Stadium and it seemed to really set the tone for the evening if not the entire Games. Vancouver snowboarder Johnny Lyall had practised the stunt for months in Whistler and every night at the stadium from Jan. 17 onward. From my shooting position, I knew I had an excellent angle for this moment and just crossed my fingers I'd time it right. ORG XMIT: POS2014020614043906 Canada Day Quiz
The Nepalese delegation tours the stadium, with Nepal's cross-country skier Dachhiri Sherpa as the flag bearer, at BC Place during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver on February 12, 2010. AFP PHOTO / DDP / MICHAEL KAPPELER (Photo credit should read MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 95658513
CNS-FASH-OLYMPICS-OUTFITS — VANCOUVER, B.C.: FEBRUARY 12, 2010 — Barefoot class from k.d. lang at the opening ceremony. (Larry Wong/Canwest News Service) FOR CNS FASHION PACKAGE, FEB. 25, 2010
RESTRICTIONS ON USAGE – NO SALES TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS WHISTLER, B.C.: February 12, 2010 Canada's Britt Janyk (of Whistler) said she is worried about temporary cancelation of the women's downhill here Whistler, B.C. on Feb 12, 2010. The downhill course's have been covered by fog for several days at the winter games . Mark van Manen/PNG) see Gary Kingson Sun Sports Vancouver Sun. /Province Sports games stories CNS-OLY-SKI.jpg
RESTRICTIONS ON USAGE – NO SALES TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS WHISTLER, B.C.: February 12, 2010 USA's Marco Sullivan isn't worried about temporary cancelation of the training runs here Whistler, B.C. on Feb 12, 2010. The downhill course's have been covered by fog for several days at the winter games . Mark van Manen/PNG) see Gary Kingson Sun Sports Vancouver Sun. /Province Sports games stories CNS-OLY-SKI.jpg [PNG Merlin Archive]
RESTRICTIONS ON USAGE – NO SALES TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS WHISTLER, B.C.: February 12, 2010 Exausted race course workers fall down to rest after starting work in before dawn, only to have cancelation of the women's downhill here Whistler, B.C. on Feb 12, 2010. The downhill course's have been covered by fog for several days at the winter games . Mark van Manen/PNG) see Gary Kingson Sun Sports Vancouver Sun. /Province Sports games stories CNS-OLY-SKI.jpg [PNG Merlin Archive]
RESTRICTIONS ON USAGE – NO SALES TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS WHISTLER, B.C.: February 12, 2010 Austrian team coaches hold their own celebration atop of Whistler Mountain, on the opening day of the Winter games here Whistler, B.C. on Feb 12, 2010. Mark van Manen/PNG) see Gary Kingson Sun Sports Vancouver Sun. /Province Sports games stories CNS-OLY-SKI.jpg [PNG Merlin Archive]
The host Canadian Olympic team led by Clara Hughes enters the stadium during the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, BC on February 12, 2010 during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (John Mahoney / Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-FAVOURITE
BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN
This man was one of the olympic protesters gathered on Robson at Beatty, at the west side of BC Place, home of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. They were met by many members of the Vancouver Police. (Stuart Davis/PNG) (For story by Doug Ward) — PNG0212N PROTEST 02 TRAX NUMBER 00042480A. [PNG Merlin Archive]
A fiddler at BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN
A massive light show adorns BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN Olympic Memories promo OLY01-34
A boy flies around BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN
Team Canada marches into BC Place Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Ric Ernst / Canwest News Service). CNS-OLY-OPEN
Vancouverites celebrated as they walked along Robson St. after the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. (Stuart Davis/PNG) (For story) — PNG0212N CELEBRATION 02 TRAX NUMBER 00042501A. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Vancouverites celebrated as they walked along Robson St. after the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. (Stuart Davis/PNG) (For story) — PNG0212N CELEBRATION 01 TRAX NUMBER 00042501A. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Canadian celebrities carry the Olympic flag into the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics Friday, February 12, 2010 at BC Place in Vancouver, BC. (Jenelle Schneider / Canwest News Service). CNS-0LY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
Aerialists performer at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held at B.C. Place in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Photo by Larry Wong/Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
The host Canadian Olympic team led by Clara Hughes enters the stadium during the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, BC Friday, February 12, 2010 during the 2010 Winter Olympics..(John Mahoney/Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
Rick Hansen carries the torch into the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held at B.C. Place in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Photo by Larry Wong/Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
Katrina Lemay Doan carries the torch at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games held at B.C. Place in Vancouver February 12, 2010. (Photo by Larry Wong/Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
A snowboarder flies through the Olympic Rings during the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, B.C. Friday, February 12, 2010 during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (John Mahoney/Canwest News Service) CNS-OLY-OPEN [PNG Merlin Archive]
Over 61,000 attended the first Olympic opening ceremony to be held indoors, enjoying a spectacle of 4,500 performers — ballet dancers, pop stars, aerialists and a giant, sparkling spirit bear.
Everything went ahead as planned and directed by Australian producer David Atkins — save for the lighting of the Olympic cauldron: Canadian sports icons Catriona Le May Doan, Steve Nash, Nancy Greene Raine and Wayne Gretzky were each to light one of the cauldron’s four arms, but a hydraulic malfunction prevented Le May Doan’s arm from raising with the others.
Fortunately, there was an immediate chance for redemption. In keeping with an Olympic rule that the cauldron-lighting take place outside, Gretzky was whisked away from the arena to Coal Harbour in the back of a white pickup to light a second cauldron. There were no problems this time, and Vancouver’s Games were officially underway.