The World Competes

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics began smoothly, with an opening ceremonies that were dedicated to fallen luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, and had a technical glitch during the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron. This was not the first Olympic games to have technical difficulties when it came to lighting the Olympic flame; in 2000, there were also problems lighting the flame.

The Vancouver Opening Ceremonies did not try to compete with the Beijing Opening Ceremonies; instead, they tried to focus on the cultural aspects of their country, and the natural beauty of Canada.

Wayne Gretzky lit the Olympic cauldron.

A more detailed recap of the Opening Ceremonies is available.