Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Day One

After several canceled flights from Washington, D.C., we finally arrived in Vancouver at 11:15 p.m. on February 13. We had missed the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Still, there was no shortage of stories waiting for us.

We had visited Vancouver many times before, but this trip was different. The city had become an international gathering place for athletes, journalists and visitors. Everywhere we turned, there was a shared excitement about the Games.

Inside the Vancouver Olympic Media Center

Our first order of business was obtaining our media credentials at the British Columbia International Media Centre (BCMC) in Robson Square.

The media center became our reporting base. Journalists gathered to follow competition results, attend press conferences and track the latest developments. We met fellow reporters, including several from Washington, D.C., and attended press conferences with Olympic athletes, including members of the Canadian women’s moguls team.

Multiple video feeds provided updates on medal winners and qualifying performances. Between reporting activities, we also enjoyed a tasting of West Coast oysters.

Working from the media center gave us an opportunity to experience another side of the Olympics: the work of journalists documenting the athletes, competitions and stories capturing the world’s attention.

Photographing Vancouver’s Olympic Atmosphere

Outside the media center, Vancouver was buzzing with activity.

Robson Square had become a gathering place for Olympic visitors. The outdoor skating rink, urban zip line and cultural festivities attracted crowds throughout the day. The atmosphere was lively, and despite the number of people moving through downtown, everyone seemed determined to enjoy the experience.

The weather was another surprise. Temperatures hovered around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and we spotted people wearing shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. Coming from winter weather in Washington, we certainly weren’t complaining about the sunshine.

Only a few blocks from Robson Square, the Olympic cauldron burned near the waterfront, with snow-covered mountains in the distance. It was an impressive sight and one of the most memorable images we photographed.

Downtown Vancouver also featured snowboard-shaped public art installations. They reminded us of the decorated elephant and donkey sculptures displayed throughout Washington, D.C.

For visitors, these public spaces offered a chance to experience the Games without entering a competition venue. For us, they provided another perspective to document through our photographs and reporting.

An Unexpected Olympic Encounter

Our first day also delivered some unexpected humor.

While walking through downtown, we encountered the expansive motorcade of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who was heading toward the figure skating venue.

Traffic stopped, and pedestrians waited as the procession passed. One English gentleman, clearly astonished by the size of the motorcade, remarked:

“All this for one bloke? Is this carbon neutral?!?”

His comment brought smiles to several faces, particularly among those growing impatient with the delay.

It was one of those spontaneous encounters that made the Olympic experience memorable.

Between the press conferences, conversations with fellow journalists, photographs and cultural celebrations, our first day covering the Winter Olympics was certainly eventful.

We have always enjoyed Vancouver, but experiencing the city during the Games has given us an entirely different perspective.

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