6 defining pop culture moments of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics

Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games was alive and abuzz like never before, leaving memories that endure even a decade later.

From the outrageous fashion moments to the Canadian celebs, and Vancouver’s 15 minutes of fame on the small screen, there is no shortage of pop culture moments that captivated the city.

An entire Simpsons episode depicting Vancouver during the Olympics

The Simpsons/FOX

America’s favourite animated family The Simpsons made a special visit to Vancouver to compete at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The episode depicted the family trying their four fingered hands at curling, as well as beavers, lumberjacks, and Stanley Park.

• See also:
  • How UBC is still benefitting from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
  • Then and now: Lasting physical legacies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics (PHOTOS)
  • 21 photos of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay making its way across Canada

Norwegian Curling Team’s pants made a statement

Olympics / Twitter

In iconic fashion moments, we have the trend-setting Norwegian curling team, whose pants — with colourful patterns and intricate designs — were certainly the talk of the town — and the ice. The team unfortunately split up in 2018, but we will forever be grateful to watch the trend-setting team take the ice right here in Vancouver.

Michael J Fox spoke at the closing ceremony

Actor Michael J Fox, who grew up in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby, spoke at the closing ceremony of the Olympics about why he will always be Canadian at heart. Fox was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report took on Vancouver

Stephen Colbert made a visit to Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to record a week’s worth of episodes for his show.

In order to adhere to the International Olympic Committee’s television rights policies, The Colbert Report dubbed its Vancouver 2010 special as the “Exclusive Vancouverage of the 2010/Quadrennial Cold Weather Athletic Competition/Defeat the World!”

Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams perform at the opening ceremony

Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams perform “Bang the Drum” a song specially composed for the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Adams is a Kingston, Ontario native, while Furtado hails from Victoria, BC. Nikki Yanofsky, k.d. lang, and Sarah Machlachlan also performed at the opening ceremony.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir became Canada’s sweethearts

Everyone across Canada shipped this relationship when the pair took the country, and the podium, by storm. The pair won gold together in Ice Dance at the 2010 Olympics, and if we’re being honest, we still really wish they would get married. (But they’ve confirmed they’re just friends).