Vancouver’s Olympic Cauldron was lit in celebration of the Paris 2024 Games Friday, reigniting the spirit of the games in the hearts of residents.
A ceremony was held at Jack Poole Plaza to mark the start of the games.
Although the torches were only lit for a couple hours, it was enough to bring the crowd back 14 years to when Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.
Speed skating gold medalist Christine Nesbitt was at the event and spoke highly of the ceremony.
“It really gave me the chills to be here,” Nesbitt said.
“It’s a powerful symbol. It symbolizes igniting that excitement for sport, for bringing people together. The best part about these medals is hearing everybody’s stories, how it inspired them.”
Former Olympian Matthew Mullins spoke about the hard work that goes into competing at the games.
“I think what makes the Olympics such a special event is because they showcase the culmination of each athlete’s journey, the years of determination, effort, and passion can all be witnessed in the emotions and performances of the athletes in the games,” Mullins said.
Earlier in the day at UBC, an outdoor viewing area was set up for people to watch the opening ceremony in Paris.
“I think it’s a very creative ceremony,” one viewer told CityNews. “They showed the history of France, the revolution, the triumph, a lot of patriotism, and what France has offered to the world.”
Despite a rocky start for Canada’s women’s soccer team involving a drone scandal, fans are still counting on Canada to bring home the gold.
Two staffers and the head coach have been sent home after a drone was caught flying over a practice conducted by team New Zealand earlier in the week.
Coach Bev Priestman has also been suspended, and Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive David Shoemaker told reporters he believes Priestman was likely aware that drones were used to spy on New Zealand’s practices.