Vancouver 2010: Olympic Predictions & Preview

As winter sports are extremely popular in Canada, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the country's last Winter Games on home soil was more than 20 years ago. Vancouver 2010 will be the second Winter Olympics in the Great White North, and the event promises to be the most spectacular one yet. While we are certainly looking forward to a stunning opening ceremony, the main focus will still be on the great athletes who will look to fulfill their own aspirations as well as those of their beloved countries. In this article, I will preview the 2010 Winter Olympics and offer my overall medal predictions. Who will you be rooting for in Vancouver?

1. Preview of the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of any Olympics is typically the event's main attraction. The ceremony has traditionally been used to introduce the host country's culture and history to the world. The opening show for Vancouver 2010 is expected to adhere to traditions. Viewers from around the world will be presented with ornate snapshots of Canada's past, present, and future.

Contrary to popular beliefs, Europeans were not the first people to settle in Canada. The country had long been occupied by various groups of indigenous people called the Aborigines. The Aboriginal peoples of Canada are slated to be prominently featured in Vancouver 2010 opening ceremony. There will be elaborate costumes, traditional dances, and exotic music. Representatives of different aboriginal tribes and different generations of aborigines are expected to take center stage. Exact details of the ceremony are not yet available, but Vancouver is likely to take cues from the Beijing Olympics (without the insane extravagance of course.)

2. Preview of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Medal Race

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The medal table at a typical Olympic Games usually favors the world's biggest economic powers. The more powerful a country's economy the higher standing it enjoys in the medal table. This is also true for the Winter Olympics, though not always absolute. While economic powerhouses like the United States and Germany generally dominate the medal race, they are often joined by lesser known countries such as Austria and the Netherlands. This trend is important because it gives the host country hope that it might pull a coup and top the medal count.

There is no doubt that Canada will do well in the overall medal standings. Winter sports are very popular in the host country; their athletes will be buoyant by the Olympic experience. Historically, Canada has always performed well in the Winter Olympics winning an average of 17 total medals and 6-7 golds. The home field advantage should give the Great White North at least 6 extra medals. Events Canada expected to find success include ice hockey (men and women), curling (men and women), speed skating, and snow boarding.

The United States should also do well in Vancouver 2010. It is a tremendous advantage to have the Olympics taking place so close to home. As a matter of fact, most U.S. athletes have spent time in Vancouver. The familiarity will greatly benefit the U.S. team. The country won't topple Germany as the top gold medal garner, but the race will be very close. Events the United States expected to find success include speed skating, alpine skiing, snow boarding, and figure skating.

The European contingent will once again be led by winter powerhouse Germany. The country is one of the most successful at the Winter Olympics. Germany is predicted to replicate its previous successes and lead the Vancouver 2010 gold medal count. Events Germany expected to find success include bobsleigh, luge, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and speed skating. Other European countries that will be contending for medals include Russia and Austria.

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Historically, Asian countries don't usually perform well in the Winter Olympics. But the last few Olympics have seen these countries becoming increasingly competitive in some specialized sports and disciplines. South Korea, for example, has established itself as a speed skating powerhouse. The country won 6 gold medals in the discipline in Torino. No one should be surprised if South Korea continues its success at the Vancouver Olympics.

China managed to win its first Winter Olympics gold medal in Torino. The country is likely to be even more ambitious this time around. Japan, which has traditionally been the top Asian performer at the Winter Games, won only one medal in Torino. The country has expressed disappointments over its 2006 performance and has vowed to improve its medal chances. This year's Japanese team is packed with talented athletes who should contend for medals in disciplines such as figure skating and speed skating.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Predictions: Germany wins the most gold medal; the United States leads overall medal total.