This was published 14 years ago
Opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics
32 ImagesVancouver welcomes the world to its Olympic Games with a vivid, emotional, star-studded extravaganza.
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Flag bearer Torah Bright leads Australia's contingent into BC Place.Credit:Reuters
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Bryan Adams (L) and Nelly Furtado, two more of the Canadian stars to perform.Credit:AFP
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Stomping away the grief.Credit:AFP
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The northern ligghts were featured during the extended celebrations.Credit:Reuters
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A snowboarder flies through the Olympic Rings.Credit:AFP
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Whoahh! A snowboarder jumps through the Olympics rings.Credit:AFP
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Mounties: a look that never goes out of fashion.Credit:AFP
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An RCMP Honour Guard stand beneath the Canadian flag.Credit:Reuters
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Native Canadian performers during the earlier part of the opening ceremony.Credit:AFP
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Though not as eleaborate as China's Olympic extravaganzas, Canada's opening was full of colour.Credit:AFP
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Despite a lack of snow on local mountain, the Olympics in Vancouver just need some action to cast off the naysayers.Credit:AFP
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Representatives of the Four Host First Nations stand in front of their respective Welcome Poles.Credit:AFP
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The Ethiopian delegation tours the stadium, with Ethiopa's cross-country skier Robel Teklemariam the flag bearer.Credit:AFP
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Interesting, ddifferent... Athletes and members of Finland's delegation march.Credit:AFP
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Flag bearer Iason Abramashvili (R) leads Gerogia into the stadium.Credit:Reuters
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Daring, but organised. The pink and blue German delegation.Credit:AFP
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Flag bearer Torah Bright leads the surprisingly large Australian team into BC Place.Credit:AFP
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The Indian delegation tours the stadium, with India's luger Shiva Keshavan as the flag bearer.Credit:AFP
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Flag bearer Iason Abramashvili (R) leads Gerogia into the stadium.Credit:Reuters
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Flag bearer Erdene-Ochir Ochirsuren leads Mongolia.Credit:Reuters
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The South Korea delegation, led by flagbearer, bobsledder Kang Kwang-Bae.Credit:AFP
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Flag bearer Clara Hughes leads Canada into BC Place.Credit:AFP
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The pressure is on: Canada's team enters the cauldron.Credit:AFP
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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addresses the stadium.Credit:Getty Images
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Fans cheer during the pre-show prior to the opening ceremony.Credit:AFP
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Allison Birt waits for the start of the opening ceremony.Credit:Reuters
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Canadian fans arrive in their ice hockey finery.Credit:Reuters
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North America unites.Credit:AFP
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The maple leaf gets some exposure.Credit:AFP
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Canadian enthusiasm.Credit:AFP
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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) hands the Olympic flame to IAAF Council member and Vice President of the IAAF Lord Sebastian Coe of Great Britain.Credit:AFP
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Looks familiar. Protests against the Games focused on poverty and transport problems in Vancouver.Credit:Reuters
