WINTER OLYMPICS 2010 PICTURE SPECIAL: Vancouver's spectacular opening ceremony overshadowed by tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili

By Chris Cutmore
Spectacular: A snowboarder jumps through the Olympic rings to get the show underway (above) and artists perform next to a giant polar bear (below)

It is supposed to be a celebration, a time where athletes come together to showcase their sports and recognise the Olympic spirit before the heat of competition takes over.

But as the 2010 Winter Games opened in Vancouver last night, the spectacular ceremony was overshadowed by the death of 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, whose fatal high-speed crash at the Whistler Sliding Centre happened just hours earlier.

A snowboarder got the show underway with a jump through the Olympic rings and later a huge, glittering polar bear lit up the stadium as 60,000 spectators packed into the stadium to witness the 2,500 competing Olympians from 82 nations parade.


But the booming fireworks and dazzling light shows were tempered by a minute's silence for Kumaritashvili, the sight of the Olympic flag flying at half-mast and the Georgian team, who were given a standing ovation, wearing black armbands.

The cauldron containing the Olympic flame, which will burn throughout the 17 days of competition, was lit by Canadian ice-hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, while the host team were led out by Clara Hughes, the defending 5000m speed skating champion.


In memory: Georgia flag-bearer Iason Abramashvili and his team wearing black armbands (above) and the Olympic flag flying at half-mast (below)


Great Britain's flag-bearer was skeleton slider Shelley Rudman - the team's only medallist at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

The ceremony was dedicated to Kumaritashvili, while IOC president Jacques Rogge said: 'It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of Nodar Kumaritashvili of the Georgian team, who passed away this morning in a training accident on the luge track.



Proud day: Shelley Rudman holds the flag as she leads Great Britain's team out


Legend: Wayne Gretzky waves to spectators as he arrives to light the cauldron


Dazzling: The fireworks display after Gretzky lit the Olympic cauldron


'We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, team-mates and country.'

John Furlong, chief executive of Vanoc, the organising committee, said: 'May you carry his (Kumaritashvili's),Olympic dream on your shoulders and compete with his spirit in your hearts.'


Sombre: Former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch (left), current President Jacques Rogge (right) and his wife Ann observe a minute's silence for Nodar Kumaritashvili (above) and a shrine dedicated to his memory (below)





source: dailymail