With the October arrival of the Olympic flame in Canada, Vancouver is now officially thrust into the spotlight as host of the world's biggest winter sporting event.
Let the countdown begin, with a 106-day, nearly 28,000-mile journey that's the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history. The flame will wind its way through Canada's biggest cities and most remote villages. The town of Alert, with a year-round population of five, is 500 miles from the North Pole. The highlight will come with some mystery on Feb. 12, when the Olympic flame is lit in Vancouver at BC Place.
Who will light the torch is always a closely guarded secret. But this will also be the first Games of any kind with an Opening Ceremony indoors, under the non-retractable roof of BC Place, home to the Canadian Football League BC Lions.
The fate of the Olympic flame is the subject of much speculation, with organizers keeping mum on how they plan to display it. Tradition calls for the flame to be outdoors, for 17 days a visible and inspiring symbol to those coming to watch and compete.
Vancouver, Canada's third Olympic host after Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988, is unlike any Winter Games city.
It's bigger (metro-area population: 2.2 million) and, as the first Olympics in a Pacific Maritime climate, will likely be warmer and wetter than any Winter Games site. Typical February weather: 41 degrees and drizzle.
As Canada's largest port city, Vancouver will also be the first seaport since Oslo, Norway in 1952 to host a Winter Games. Hence 2010's nickname as the "Sea to Sky Games.
In a marked departure from past Winter Olympics held in mountain villages and medium-profile cities, Vancouver already knows how to dazzle visitors. It is already is one of the most popular metropolitan vacation spots in the world, and among North America's fastest-growing cities.
Many different cultures combine and flourish in the heart of B.C.'s largest city by the sea.
Both Vancouver and Whistler are familiar places to many American athletes. So what's it like up there?
No wonder. In Vancouver, the water is at the city's doorstep and mountains are strikingly close. On a clear day, with the snowcapped Coast Mountain Range as a backdrop, it's hard to imagine a more visually stunning city."
Vancouver is famous for its distinct neighborhoods -- including North America's biggest Chinatown. The city is also known for its sophistication, clean air, ethnic diversity, mostly litter-free streets, sparkling architecture, shopping and food -- fresh, local and organic.
It's also known for its progressive politics, along with social tolerance of lifestyle and religion. Like most cities, it has a seedy side -- the Downtown Eastside, where a substantial drug culture and homeless population reside.
While the Games' indoor events such as figure skating, hockey, speedskating and curling take place in the city, it'll be a quick trip to Cypress Mountain, 19 miles from downtown, for snowboarding and freestyle skiing (aerials, moguls and ski cross) events.
Whistler, home to the outdoor ski and sliding sports, is a 75-mile drive north from Vancouver mostly along the winding, scenic Sea-To-Sky Highway, where workers have completed major work on the massive, $600-million expansion project. A new light-rail line, opened in August, connects the Vancouver airport with downtown and the city of Richmond, site of the speedskating oval.
Even though Vancouver organizers delivered on their promise to complete competition venues a year or more ahead of time, the past year has been a rocky one. Vancouver survived a city scandal and funding crisis tied to the plunging housing market that delayed construction on Olympic Village on False Creek, where athletes competing in Vancouver events will be housed.
After the project's developer bailed, the city secretly voted to assume funding, triggering the ire of taxpayers when it was disclosed. Members of the organizing committee are also coping with the loss of Jack Poole, the leader of the effort to bring the Games to Vancouver. His death from cancer at age 76 came the day after the Olympic flame was lit in Greece.
But as the relay begins, the host city appears ready for its close-up. It's bound to be a spectacular one.
With three months to go before the Opening Ceremony, the Olympic flame lights up the Arctic as Vancouver goes through final checks at venues.
Whistler's pristine mountain peaks make a very photogenic argument. This is one of the top outdoor adventure towns in the world.
