Cindy we couldn’t have said it better ourselves! The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremony of the 21 Olympiad was incredible, here are some of the highlights of the show :

The show started with a Canadian snowboarder jumping through the Olympic rings with a snow explosion to the amazement of over 60,000 spectators in the packed stadium.

Nikki Yanofsky, the girl who sings the “I Believe” theme song, sang the Canadian National anthem. Only 16 years old, this singing sensation did a phenomenal job.

The Canadian Aboriginals in native costumes welcomed the world to Canada by erecting totem poles with their arms outstretched. Over 300 native peoples came out to dance and to welcome the athletes from every country. Olympians from 82 countries have come to compete, some with hundreds and some with only one athlete competing. Their smiles were engaging and the youth, beauty of the hopeful young Olympians from all over the world was heartwarming.

Canadian athletes entered the arena last to tremendous applause of their fellow countrymen. Clara Hughes had a huge smile on her face as she waved the Canadian flag proudly to lead the team of 206 Canadian athletes.

Canadian celebrities  Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams then took center stage once the athletes took their seats. The pair sang “Bang Your Drum” the athletes tribute song. Canadian indigenous people danced and sang along. Actor Donald Sutherland narrated during the segments.

The cultural segment of the opening ceremonies started with the “Hymn To The North” celebrating our north. This segment was really beautiful. The performers were dressed all in white with ’snow’ glittering down on them. The Northern Lights appeared and the constellations were lighted including a huge LED lit bear rising out of the ground. It was amazing to see how they made the ground look like water with whales swimming underneath.

Canadian singing sensation,Sarah McLachlan performed “Ordinary Miracle” accompanied by modern dancers.

Then in celebration of East coast of Canada180 rocker fiddlers and tap dancers were lead by Ashley MacIsaac . With sparklers on their bows and shoes they held a little kitchen party and the whole world was invited.

Celebration of Francophone and the Prairie cultures followed. To end with an incredible recognition of Western Canada and Whistler with a representation of the Canadian rockies with red clad skiers suspended from the roof, performing acrobatic feats.

As the 21 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony came to a close, the tragic death of Georgian Olympian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili was remembered in speeches by the Olympic comittee dignitaries and organizers.

Michaelle Jean, Governor General, officially declared the Olympic Games open in both official languages . K.D. Lang  then took the stage and sang Hallelujah, this song written by another famous Canadian Leonard Cohen ,as the audience waved their candle style flashlights in unison with the melody.

The Olympic flag was carried in by famous Canadians which included: Donald Sutherland, Anne Murray and Julie Payette. Olympic Hymn was song by opera singer Measha Brueggergosman and one minute silence was observed in memory of the Georgian athelete.

Paraolympian Rick Hansen brought the Olympic torch into the stadium,  Catriona Lemay Doan  had her own as did  MBA star ,Steve Nash. Nancy Greene one of the greatest Canadian Olympians also held a flame as did “The Great One” Hockey great Wayne Gretzky. All of them then simultaneously lit the Olympic flame!  Fireworks then lit up the stadium.

The Olympic Opening Ceremonies of the 21 Olympiad in Vancouver, Canada did all Canadians proud! Let The Games Begin!