Slideshow: Olympics 2010 Opening Ceremony dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili (photos and videos)

Slideshow: Olympics 2010 Opening Ceremony dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili (photos and videos)

(this is part one of a two part feature)

Though the fatal crash of athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili placed a sorrowful shadow over the Olympics 2010 opening ceremony, the athletes from the Republic of Georgia marched proudly, displaying a black patch on their nation’s flag and vowed to compete in memory of their fallen comrade. The opening ceremony was dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili, and his name and face were featured throughout.

The Opening Ceremony kicked off 17 days of Olympic games that is perplexed by unusual weather. Many events have been delayed and it is uncertain how weather will impact the remainder events. For the Opening Ceremony, however, the event was held indoors, ensuring that everyone was well protected from the elements.

Nikki Yanofsky, 16, opened with the Canadian National Anthem supported by a full orchestra as nine members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police proudly waved the Canadian flag on one flagpole and the Olympic flag on another. The indigenous Canadian citizens welcome the world to their land as four enormous totem poles were raised. Jacques Rogge dedicated the games to Nodar Kumaritashvili and the flags were lowered to half mast in mourning.

The march featured 82 nations from all corners of the world led by Greece as is standard tradition. Five nations made their first appearance at the winter Olympics 2010: Ghana, Pakistan, Peru, Columbia, and the Cayman Islands. When the Georgian athletes marched those in attendance rose to their feet. The pain and grief evidenced on the team’s faces as they wore black scarves in memorial and tribute to Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Following the parade of Olympic athletes, Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado sang a duet followed by a display featuring the Northern Lights and the Spirit Bear. Sarah McLachlan performed Ordinary Miracle as computerized imagery paid homage to Canada's forests, killer whales and Pacific Salmon. The ceremony featured many of Canada’s natural scenic wonders and beauty including a harvest moon, ice, seas, forest, prairies, and majestic mountains.
 

The Olympic torch is lit during the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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