My Four Biggest Take-Aways from Vancouver 2010

The 2010 Games are memorable for many many reasons.  The Success of the Canadian Efforts.  The Smoothness of their operation (yes even with the glitches).  The Ease of the Security.  The Complete Lack of ANY doping violations.  The Soldiering on when the Weather was completely Uncooperative.  The Emergency Shipment of Condoms.  The knife-edge increments separating the podium and others.  The Probabilities.  The Tragedy and the Conquests.  The Endless, Seemingly Endless Supply of Volunteer Energy.


But in all, there are four aspects that I will take with me and recall as lifetime memories for me.

1.  The Inclusion of the Native Leaders and demonstrating Respect for Their Claim.  The Games had a foundation of respect, understanding and positive energy.


2.  The Masterful Artwork and Synergy created for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies - but also throughout the games - new light technology abounded everywhere.  The Entire Games burst with Creativity.  Light.  Music.  Fabric.  Motion.  Melding into a seamless flow of visual astonishment.


3.  Old Hindu Proverb:  True Nobility is being superior to thy former self.  At these games that meant personal bests.  And there were MANY personal bests, not the least of which are the total medal count for the USA - the MOST for any one country, and the GOLD medal count for CANADA, the MOST ever at a Winter Olympics AND the most ever by a host country.


4.  But the most powerful aspect that gripped me throughout the games was the intense emotion and unyielding energy that these games created.  Within the Audiences.  Within the Commentators.  Within the Athletes.  And within ourselves as spectators.  Vancouver was presented to the world for the last 17 days.  The grandeur of the games was complimented by the grandeur of the Presentation.  Canada has done itself proud.  As Someone Said during the Games - Canada Made it Cool to Wear Games Clothing.