By Jesse Liebman --
February 12, 2010
The XXI Olympic Winter Games are scheduled to begin Friday, amid a sea of questions that leave much about what to expect during the games in doubt. The only certainty is that for the first time ever, the opening ceremony will be held indoors.
Approximately 55,000 spectators are expected to pack into BC Place Stadium for the opening, under the largest air-supported dome in North America. The decision to host the opening ceremonies indoors may prove to be a prudent one, as weather forecasts predict rain during the festivities and continuing through the weekend.
The torch itself finally arrived in Vancouver Thursday evening after a 106-day relay that saw the torch pass through more than 1,000 towns in Canada over a route of almost 28,000 miles.
There is still much speculation over who will ultimately be tasked with the responsibility of lighting the Olympic cauldron. A popular rumor circulating has former hockey player Wayne Gretzky, the greatest player in Canada's most popular sport, will have the honor, but it could invariably go to someone else.
The biggest task will be to top the opening ceremonies from the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. The Vancouver Organizing Committee has stated that their priority is not an extravagant ceremony, but rather one that will unite Canadians to rally behind the spirit of the games and the national team.
Performers believed to be involved in the opening ceremonies that have been spotted in Vancouver include Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan and k.d. lang.
VANOC's CEO, John Furlong, expressed his confidence to the International Olympic Comittee that the
extensive planning will pay off.
"If it's ever possible to say that you are ready, we are ready," Furlong said.
