The Olympic Flag was carried into BC Place by eight notable Canadians: humanitarian Romeo Dallaire; Betty Fox, mother of cancer activist Terry Fox; world renowned singer Anne Murray; champion ice hockey player Bobby Orr; astronaut Julie Payette; Olympic gold medal figure skater Barbara Ann Scott; internationally acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland; and world champion Formula 1 driver Jacques Villeneuve.
John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), encouraged the athletes to seize the moment while competing at Canada’s Games to dream big and inspire the youth of the world.
“You are role models for our children heroes, giants, champions the best ever. You are living proof that men and women everywhere are capable of doing great good and that in life as it is in sport we should always give our best and never ever give up,” he said.