Vancouver's 10-year Olympic anniversary celebration is coming this winter

Oct 30 2019, 6:38 pm

Remember those red mittens, the army of blue jacket volunteers, the sheer sense of civic and national pride, and that friendly party atmosphere that dominated the streets of Vancouver and Whistler for weeks?

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are now approaching their 10th year anniversary, and there are now plans to mark their special moment in Canadian history in a very special way.

The Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday its plans to host anniversary celebration events in Vancouver on February 22 that are intended to bring the community together and provide a reunion for all those who participated in the Games, from the organizers to the Canadian athletes who competed.

Supported by VANOC and the COC’s years-long Own the Podium Program, Canadian athletes won a total of 26 medals, including 14 gold medals, seven silver medals, and five bronze medals. The gold medal haul set a historic record, as it was the most any nation has ever received at the Winter Olympics.

“It has been almost 10 years since the Vancouver 2010 Games, when Canadian athletes pursued their Olympic and Paralympic dreams on home soil, uniting our nation and demonstrating Canadians’ passion for sport,” said Tricia Smith, the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee in a statement.

Wednesday’s announcement coincides with the 10th year anniversary of the Olympic Flame landing in BC from Greece for the start of what was then the longest national Olympic Torch Relay in history. The route began in Victoria, then it circled the country, travelling 45,000 km and carried by 12,000 torchbearers, before arriving in Vancouver on the eve of the Opening Ceremony.

“The Games marked a turning point for our country, and provided the momentum for Canada’s emergence as a leading sporting nation,” added Smith.

The upcoming celebration events will also double as an anniversary event for the Winter Paralympics and Team Canada’s participation in Tokyo 2020.

“We are so excited to come together to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of these Games and look back on incredible memories, with an eye also on an exciting future for sport in Canada,” said Marc-André Fabien, president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

More details on the celebrations and events will be released over the weeks and months to come.

Kenneth ChanKenneth Chan

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