Canadian Wayne Gretzky Helps Light the Cauldron at the Vancouver Games

The Winter Olympics got under way in Vancouver Canada Friday night. Wayne Gretzky known as "The Great One" in Canadian hockey was at the opening ceremony and lit one of the four pillars that lights the cauldron, which holds the permanent flame.

Olympian Nodar Kumaritashvili Killed During Practice

The opening ceremony got off to a sad start after Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed when he lost control of his sled and bounced off the track into an unpadded steel pole. He became the first Olympian to lose his life in 18 years. There were several tributes to the fallen Russian in the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

Malfunction Mars the Lighting of the Olympic Flame

Four Canadian sports greats were to light the flame at BC Stadium last night, but one of the four pillars, which make up the cauldron flame, didn't rise as planned. Wayne Gretzky, Steve Nash, Nancy Greene and LeMay Doan were to have lit the four pillars. Lemay's pillar was the defective one so she saluted the crowd with her torch.

Opening Ceremonies Held Indoors for the First Time at the Olympics

Outside the domed BC Stadium a steady rain was falling with temperatures hovering around fifty degrees causing postponements and delays Saturday morning. These Winter Games are really struggling.

On the bright side almost 60,000 fans packed the stadium for the opening ceremony, which is the first opening or closing ceremony to be held in a domed facility. 2,500 athletes from 82 countries participated in the opening ceremony.

Other VIP's taking part in the show included k.d. Lang, Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLaughlin, Bobby Orr, Anne Murray, Jacques Villeneuve, and Betty Fox mother of National Hero Terry Fox.

It was in part a good ceremony, but very intense and emotional.

Outside Protestors were Causing Havoc

Outside the stadium protestors were lined up as they voiced their dissatisfaction with the Olympic games. Protesting a variety of causes, the protestors caused havoc with the torch run that had to be re-routed twice on its way to the stadium.

John Furlong the CEO of the Olympic Organizing Committee, who earlier reported on the luger's death, encouraged everyone in his speech by saying "We invite people everywhere to share in the experience, even if for just a few moments, what it feels like to be a proud Canadian.