Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Anniversary Torch Lighting

This is the week of the first anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. A number of events were planned for downtown Vancouver, including closing Granville Street to cars to make room for booths, activities and other things. It just happened that on Saturday, February 12, 2011, the day of all the anniversary celebrations, Vancouver had a big rainstorm. It didn’t just rain; it was like someone turned on the hose. I didn’t care. I put on my water resistant coat, took my good umbrella (I have a few, for different kinds of rain – hey, this is Vancouver after all), and put on my light hiking boots. I really wanted to wear my rubber boots, but decided not to because they’re not all that comfortable for a longer walk. I still got completely soaked from the knees down. But my feet were dry.

Unfortunately because of the rain I decided not to go to many of the places I first intended to. That, and my foot really hurt from a running incident, but that’s another story. I didn’t miss the most important event, the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron (see the video below!). On my way there I went through Granville Street. I think MacDonald’s had the biggest tent on the street, but that’s ok because there were some Olympic athletes signing autographs there. Quite a few people came to celebrate regardless of the rain, but it was nothing like the street parties during the Olympics last year at this time.

When I arrived at the Jack Poole Plaza I was happy to see that there was room to stand under the giant overhanging roof of the new convention center.I put my umbrella down, and went to work with my camera. I actually filmed the whole official lighting. It’s in the video above. It’s longer than my usual videos, but still under 10 minutes. I felt it was important to reflect the whole thing. Take a look, you’ll like it, especially if you’re Canadian, or someone that likes Canadians.