Organizers in playful mood as Games close
Source: Agencies |
March 2, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CANADA herded 60,000 man-made moose and made its dignified Mounties dance in the Olympic host nation's playful poke at what it means to be Canadian as the Winter Games came to a close on Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia.
After seven years of work for 17 days of Games, Canada breathed a comic sigh of relief in a closing ceremony where famous actors spoke of pride in people who "know how to make love in a canoe" and apologize for winning gold medals.
On a more serious note, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge paid Canada the ultimate compliment of staging "excellent and very friendly Games" before declaring them closed.
Before 60,000 spectators who donned brown moose antler hats and pixelated the stadium with lights, Canada had fun with its ice-hockey loving, wildlife-hugging cliches in a revue of "Canadiana."
It also cashed in on its cool factor with 1,000 snowboarders kicking off the countdown while fireworks blasted inside and outside the stadium in images broadcast worldwide.
Big glitch
"These Olympic Games have lifted us up," said John Furlong, chief executive of the Vancouver Organizing Committee. "If the Canada that came together on opening night was a little mysterious to some it now no longer is. Now you know us, eh?"
Organizers even joked about the apparent big glitch of the opening ceremony, when only three of the four arms of the Olympic cauldron emerged from the stadium floor.
The closing show started with a comic workman connecting a plug and pulling the fourth arm out of the floor so the torchbearer could light the cauldron as planned two weeks ago.
"Sometimes mistakes ... force you to achieve great things," said David Atkins, executive producer and artistic director of the show.
The closing ceremony also had somber moments as officials remembered the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili in a training crash.
"To the people of Georgia, we are so sad and so sorry for your loss. Your unimaginable grief is shared by every Canadian and all those who have gathered here," said Furlong as the spectators gave a standing ovation.
Canada also remembered the tragedy of its team: figure skater Joannie Rochette carried the country's flag after she skated for a bronze medal following her mother's sudden death.
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