all eyes on Vancouver

Bienvenue! Welcome to Vancouver! The host city of 2010 winter olympic. It is also the city where I live. I am utterly excited about this fabulous world class sporting event and really looking forward to experience the once in a lifetime olympic-buzz right in the heart of Vancouver City. It is like it's just going to take place in my own backyard you know....How awesome and cool is that? I must admit, I am proud to be a Vancouverite, and there are really cool reasons why....one is, Vancouver is one of THE best places to live in.

Vancouver is such a beautiful and awesome city. It is both rustic and sophisticated, vibrant and laidback and something in between. A cosmopolitan city with a natural wonder. It is known for its world known attractions including Granville Island, Robson Street and Stanley Park. It is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains with stunning high peaks and silvery bodies of water, the wild still practically surrounds this modern city whose greater area is home to about 2 million people. Unknown to some, Vancouver is diverse, innovative, creative and a sustainable-green-city. It is a community where our differences and diversities are celebrated. Every citizen matters and has a stake in the city's future.

A long-held dream finally comes true….after seven years and after billions of dollars, Canada's Olympic dreams take shape this Friday in the flicker of a flame and the roar of a crowd in Vancouver's massive BC Place stadium. All eyes will be on Vancouver as the city welcomes the world for the 2010 winter olympic games. It is going to be an event that will go down in history and there will be many events going on around the city and in Whistler to enjoy. Opening ceremony for the spectacular event will be held at the BC Place Stadium (an inflated colossal white dome stadium that can hold about 60,000 people and is located at the downtown core) on February 12, 2010 @ 6 pm. The ceremony is a chance to speak to a global audience and tell a story of a contemporary Canada that will inspire the world. It will showcase a truly Canada's cultural diversity, values and creativity by highlighting the excellence of performance of leading Canadian artists and I, and all Canadians, look forward to this huge and memorable ceremony that will allow the whole world to see the best that Canada has to offer.

More than 80 nations are likely to take part in this event and about 5500 people from over 80 nations will participate in the Winter Olympics. The greatest athletes in the world come together and compete in events that are mind-bogglingly impressive. International media and spectators from around the world will gather in Vancouver and the alpine resort of Whistler to celebrate winter sporting excellence. The games, along with the city's spectacular and natural venues, will put the city in the spotlight as one of the top sporting destinations.

And so with Canadian pride and the spirit of winter olympics.......my family and I will put on our red toques, sweaters, scarves, mittens and get out our Canadian flags and ready to paint the town red. We will definitely cheer loudly for the Canadian Olympic Team! Go Canada go!

See you there 'eh?