Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Winter Olympic Games Open in Vancouver, Canada

   VOA News 12 February 2010

Photo: AP

   A  snowboarder  sails  through  the  Olympic  rings during the opening
   ceremony  for  the  Vancouver  2010  Olympics  in  Vancouver,  British
   Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010.

   The  eyes  of  the  world  are  on  Vancouver,  Canada  as the opening
   ceremonies  marking  the  start  of  the 2010 Winter Olympic Games get
   under way.
   This  is  the 21st Winter Olympic Games, with festivities that include
   the  traditional   parade  of  nations.  Some 5,000 men and women from
   more  than  80  countries  are  competing  in the games, hoping to win
   Olympic  gold.   The  Olympic  torch  is  also  being carried into the
   stadium to light a cauldron signaling the start of the 17-day event.
   The  games  will  take  place  at  several  venues around Vancouver on
   Canada's western coast.
   The games are beginning on a sad note, following the death of Georgian
   Luger (Sledder) Nodar Kumaritashvili during practice earlier Friday.
   The  21-year-old  was approaching the final turn on the twisting track
   when  he  crashed  and  was  thrown  from  his sled, smashing his head
   against  a  metal  pole.  He was hurtling at nearly 145 kilometers per
   hour at the time.
   Competitors  have  exceeded  145-kilometers per hour on the track, and
   several Olympians recently have questioned its safety.
   The  president  of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge,
   said  the  accident  affected  the entire Olympic family.  Despite the
   death  of  Kumaritashvili,  Georgian  officials  say  their  country's
   athletes will stay and compete.
   The closing ceremonies take place February 28.
   Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
   

.