2010 Host City Legacy
In February and March of 2010, Vancouver took its place on the world’s stage by hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Thousands of athletes and visitors from all corners of the globe arrived into Vancouver to take in the Games, and more around the world were at home watching it on TV and online.
The Games were something Vancouver had never seen before. Vancouver's downtown core was flooded with Canadians wearing red to show their pride for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams and when Canada won a medal, cheers could be heard from blocks away.
The success of the Games
The Games were a tremendous success for the athletes, the City and our many partners. Thousands came downtown to enjoy the friendship, thrills and vibe of the Games. Hundreds of City employees, sporting light blue coats with the City emblem, set aside their normal day jobs to guide visitors at the Olympic Line or through the long lines at the incredibly popular Live City, where visitors would wait in the line for hours to take in a free concert or watch an Olympic or Paralympic event on its big-screen TV.
The green Games
Our Host City Olympic Transportation Plan and our Olympic Line streetcar were incredibly successful. An unprecedented number of people took public transit, walked or cycled to events. Our venues as well as the Olympic Village project won numerous awards for its green design features and commitment to sustainability.
Vancouver was alive with art
Vancouver was alive with art during the Games thanks to the City’s Public Art Program. Banners lined the streets, colourful lights were erected on lampposts, unique sculptures were displayed in various parts of the city, and an interactive light show illuminated the sky above English Bay.