The eyes of the world

There is little else being discussed here tonight but the start of the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Seven years in the preparation, with countless thousands of volunteers working tirelessly to prepare a Games in this, the southernmost host city in the history of the Winter Games.

We've heard the jokes about the lack of snow... but what was not lacking tonight was joy, creativity and pride. The Opening Ceremonies were a mixture of cultural stories, music and sparkling visuals, marred only slightly by the malfunction of the indoor cauldron right at the end.

Speaking of which... this Games featured the longest-ever Olympic Torch Relay, spanning 106 days and nearly 45,000 km, through some of the world's harshest winter conditions. Our country embraced these Olympics, and in particular this Torch Relay, with so fervent a spirit of national pride that most commentators were left speechless. It's never been done before, and will likely never be attempted again. But what a spectacular event it was.

What broke most people's hearts, however, was the news this afternoon, even before the official start of the Games, of the death of a Georgian slider. The horrific accident was looped on all our news segments, and cast a pall over what should have been a joyous afternoon and evening. A moment of silence was observed, and athletes were urged to compete in his memory, in a spirit of international brotherhood and sports(wo)manship. So tragic, and yet a reminder of the tremendous lows that form the shadow side of victory and sporting excellence.

With that sober thought in mind, here's to a wonderful and successful Olympic Games, Vancouver! This girl's totally on board, right down to the mittens.