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2010 Winter Olympics

Welcome to our live blog on a big day for Vancouver, as the city welcomes the world for the Winter Olympics. The opening ceremony doesn't get started for another eight hours or so but we'll be here all day to keep you posted on the torch realy through the city and all the excitement travelling with it.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 5:57:31 PM
The torch has been through downtown Vancouver this morning and there were crowds lining the street -- with plenty of Canada hockey jerseys and maple leaf flags.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:00:28 PM
I'll see if I can upload a few nice pictures from the day

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:00:38 PM
Here's my favourite shot of the day so far, taken by Reuters photographer Chris Helgren... When Arnie met Seb.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:16:02 PM
by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:16:21 PM
The governor of California did his leg of the torch relay this morning... Coe-nan the Barbarian?

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:17:38 PM
Sounds like protesters are putting a bit of a dampener to torch progress today. It's just been re-routed a second time past Commercial Drive

by Brambbergs 2/12/2010 6:27:16 PM
There have been some protestors out on the torch relay route, our correspondent Allan Dowd reports. He described it as a cat-and-mouse game, with the police trying to stay one step ahead of a group opf perhaps two dozen reporters.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:27:34 PM
Apparently, locals who had queued up to watch aren't too happy with the protesters.

by Brambbergs 2/12/2010 6:27:56 PM
It was all very good-natured this morning in the centre of town. Very noisy and colorful.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:35:01 PM
i'm not a big winter olympics fan but am looking forward to the ski jumping. those guys are nutbob.

by Jimbo 2/12/2010 6:36:17 PM
They're crazy indeed. So are the downhillers...

by Brambbergs 2/12/2010 6:39:33 PM
You might enjoy this piece from Simon Evans, jimbo. blogs.reuters.com He shares your enthusiasm

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:40:25 PM
Fresh from USOC: Weather has required a change in today’s women’s downhill training schedule. It is now slated for 2 p.m.

by Brambbergs 2/12/2010 6:40:32 PM
What time does it start?

by Jimbo 2/12/2010 6:41:42 PM
The ceremony itself starts at 6pm local time in Vancouver. That's 9pm on the east coast and 2 in the morning in the UK.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:42:29 PM
The day is brightening here in Whistler. Fog caused the women's training to be delayed and they have cancelled the men's training but there is even a bit of sunlight breaking through now.

by Simon Evans 2/12/2010 6:42:33 PM
Hopefully we will get some action for the women today and we can also see just how much of a hindrance Lindsey Vonn's shin injury is going to be.

by Simon Evans 2/12/2010 6:44:36 PM
you're in for a long day

by Jimbo 2/12/2010 6:45:34 PM
Another nice picture...

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:45:40 PM
by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:45:54 PM
remember, we'll be keeping you up to date on what's going on in Vcancouver today ... and we'll really get going later when the opening ceremony starts.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:46:47 PM
If you're interested in what Lindsey Vonn has been up to in her spare time, click here... blogs.reuters.com I'm hoping the word "Vonntourage" catches on but I'm not holding my breath

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:50:01 PM
Our full coverage will start around two hours before the start of the opening ceremony, so from around 1600 PT, 1900 ET and midnight GMT. In the mean time we'll continue to post little updates on anything interesting going on.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 6:57:40 PM
Really nasty crash at the luge by the sound of it, training suspended.

by MiloRtrs 2/12/2010 7:04:01 PM
So looking forward to the opening ceremony with Reuters later today ...

by Jana 2/12/2010 7:28:42 PM
He's been taken away by ambulance. Nasty stuff.

by Brambbergs 2/12/2010 7:28:45 PM
Hi Jana. Nice to have you back with us. Kevin Fylan here.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 7:30:59 PM
We just saw a replay of the accident here in the press room and it looked extremely nasty. The luger in question was Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia and he was given emergency resuscitation treatment on the scene.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 7:32:13 PM
We'll give you as much information as we can. What a terrible way for the Games to start.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 7:34:55 PM
Cool! Bring on the 2010 Olympics Kevin! :)

by Jana 2/12/2010 7:56:41 PM
That accident really has cast a terrible shadow over the day.

by MiloRtrs 2/12/2010 7:57:32 PM
The reports say that he hit a metal poll! Poor guy

by Jonathan Keebler 2/12/2010 8:31:56 PM
I'm afraid the death has been confirmed.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 8:40:43 PM
Prayers go out to Nodar ....

by Jana 2/12/2010 8:40:45 PM
"Unfortunately he died," Georgian Olympic delegation head Irakly Japaridze told Reuters

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 8:41:34 PM
The International Olympic Committee are about to issue a statement. We still don't know what will happen with the opening ceremony.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 8:42:57 PM
by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 8:49:58 PM
This pic is from Reuters photographer Tony Gentile at the scene.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 8:51:14 PM
Georgia have also revealed that they may be pulling their athletes out of the Games.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 9:01:02 PM
"We are all in deep shock, we don't know what to do. We don't know whether to take part in (today's) opening ceremony or even the Olympic Games themselves," Irakly Japaridze said.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 9:01:17 PM
RIP Nodar.

by Kristin 2/12/2010 9:19:34 PM
Here is what IOC president Jacques Rogge said about it:
"Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete. The whole Olympic Family is struck by this tragedy which clearly casts a shadow over these Games."

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 9:21:47 PM
@Brambbergs such a shame but I hope the other athletes still participate

by Leigh 2/12/2010 9:53:14 PM
Rogge was just in tears as he appeared before a press conference. The whole mood of the opening ceremony -- and the Games themselves -- will be altered now.

by ReutersSports 2/12/2010 9:55:24 PM

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