Vancouver, Canada is a city that takes great pride in their multiculturalism. This Friday, Vancouver will make their biggest multicultural move yet by literally opening up their city to the world for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This will mark British Columbia’s first time hosting the Olympic Games, although it is Canada’s third. There will be several competition venue locations including Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver Olympic Center, Pacific Coliseum, and the UBC Thunderbird Arena in Vancouver alone. Other venues include The Whistler Sliding Center, Whistler Creekside, and Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond and Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver. Outdoor competition venues include Whistler Creekside, Whistler Sliding Center, Whistler Olympic Park and Cypress Mountain.

Whistler Creekside

Cypress Mountain

Whistler Ski Jump

Preparations for this massive event have been well underway for some time now and as the start date approaches, employees and volunteers alike kick into high gear to ensure the smoothest conditions possible for the world’s winter athletes. The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) have unleashed an arsenal of state-of-the-art snow making equipment as well as the world’s most experienced snow makers and masters of ice. Additionally, the federal department has made available $13.4 million worth of expertise and equipment including advanced weather tracking technology made available via Environment Canada.  The precautionary measures proved to be an essential with the unseasonably wet and warm weather dominating the area as of late. “As a precaution, we’re (also) stockpiling snow to ensure we’re ready no matter what the weather conditions are leading up to and during the games”, said Tim Gayda, Vice President of Sport for VANOC.

Pacific Coliseum

Luge

As the winter athletes of the world converge onto one stage since Torino in 2006, predictions and statistics become high topics of conversation. Returning champ countries include Germany, who won the most medals in Torino with 29, U.S.A, which won 25, and Canada itself, which took home 24 placed finish awards. Just a few American athletes to keep your eyes on as they go for the gold include Shaun White and Gretchn Bleiler for Snowboarding, Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso for Alpine Skiing, Apolo Ohno for Short Track, Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir, Sasha Cohen, and Rachel Flatt for the crowd favorite Figure Skating, and Noelle Pikus-Pace for Skeleton.

Speedskating

Biathlon

If you aren’t one of the 1.8 million ticket holders, 10,000 estimated media reps, 5,000 officials and athletes or 2,500 volunteers there’s still plenty to enjoy in Vancouver during the Olympics. Most notably, the 2010 Cultural Olympiad which runs from January 22nd to March 21st. ”Amazing feats of athleticism at the 2010 Winter Games won’t be restricted to snow and ice – they’ll also be on our stages throughout the Games region as some of the world’s premiere dancers, actors, and musicians join our cultural celebrations”, VANOC Vice President of Culture and Celebration Burke Taylor noted of the Cultural Olympiad. The official 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games website hails the Olympiad as a compilation of “genre-bending theatre; stunning virtuoso dance; fierce, fresh music; breathtaking visual and digital art extravaganza”.

Vancouver Olympics - Gold Medal

While in Vancouver for the Games and the Cultural Olympiad, check out some of the permanent attractions the city has to offer: frolic the flora at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens or make a discovery at the scientific exhibits at Science World British Columbia. Travel back in time to when the high seas ruled at the Vancouver Maritime Museum which explores the rich history of the Pacific Coast. While certainly not for the faint of heart, adventurers with a flair for the wild side should cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge which towers 230 feet above the Capilano River and travel along it’s evergreens at the newest attraction, Treetops Adventures. Since Vancouver truly is a multicultural mecca, there is no shortage of unique and delicious eateries, restaurants, and dining experiences awaiting your arrival.

Vancouver Olympics - Mascot Red Mittens

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada is truly shaping up to be a can’t-miss world class event. Go Team U.S.A.!

For more information, please see:

http://www.olympic.org/vancouver-2010-winter-olympics

Robert Tuchman is the Sports Editor for Wandering Educators. 

All photos © VANOC/COVAN