But it wasn’t all hugs, streamers and party poppers throughout that fateful Sunday afternoon in February. Oh no my friend.

Most of us have tried to forget the earlier moment of agony and despair that saw team USA tie the gold medal game up with only a mere 24 seconds to go in the final period. The deafening thump of millions of Canadian hearts falling to the floor was like nothing I have ever heard or experienced before, and believe you me, I felt just as sick as every other hockey fan around me crammed into the Vogue Theatre on Granville Street.

Illustrating both these moments of extreme stress and happiness, a mightily talented YouTube member, JLishere, has put in many, many hours in compiling two great videos that capture both of the aforementioned critical moments during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics gold medal hockey game.

You may remember I posted an entry containing some videos showing the Golden Goal reaction around Canada. Well… they ain’t got nothing on what you’re about to see below.

So, please pull up a comfy chair, and enjoy the following. If you don’t have goosebumps by the end of the second video… you’re not human!

The Agony

The Ecstacy

Personally, I have had the time of my life and have, at times, struggled to communicate to family back home in Australia, and friends across the rest of the world just how enjoyable the Olympic experience has been here.

Recently, however, I came across a series of fantastic aerial and wide angle panoramics online, shot by the crew at “AerialPhotoImage.com”. Covering a number of the Olympic venues in both down town Vancouver, and up at Whistler, these images give out-of-towners the opportunity to explore and get a quality second-hand view of what it was like to be here.

I just spent the last half hour pouring over the various aspects myself, and have every confidence that you’ll lose yourself in them too! To make it a little easier for you, here’s the links to some of these great images. If you come across any of the little “camera” icons, you can click them to scoot over to a different image. It’s way cool!

False Creek, Vancouver

Vancouver Olympic Village

(Looks to have been shot in the Fall of ’09)

BC Place, Vancouver

Whistler Olympic Village

For the following images, go to the Whistler Village panorama and click on the “Recently Added” tab and you’ll be able to link to these fantastic Olympic scenes:

Sochi 2014 World

Olympic Cauldron

Pre-Olympic Opening Ceremony

Olympic Opening Ceremony

Olympic Opening Ceremony

Listen closely for Crosby screaming “Iggy!” above the dull roar of the crowd. Gives me goosebumps cause I know what it led to. I’ll never get tired of hearing it!

Take Our Poll

Here’s a selection of videos showing how crowds all over Vancouver and Canada celebrated. Enjoy!

LiveCity Yaletown – Vancouver

Dundas Square – Toronto

Vancouver Down Town

Ever heard an entire city roar before? Well now you can. You might want to skip through to about the 1:10 mark for this one… but how cool is it??

Whistler Village

Soho Bar – English Bay, Vancouver

A family’s living room – Somewhere in Canada

Mahony & Sons Bar – University of British Columbia, Vancouver

If you’ve found any more great examples, please post the links in the comments section below.

I’m sure that, like me, a lot of you who are in Vancouver felt a sickening feeling of loss and almost depression today. How does one effectively transition from a high like all Canadians felt yesterday after that heart-stopping hockey final, and back it up with an eerily silent transit into town for work today? Sigh…

There was no immediate need for me to proudly wear my #87 Sidney Crosby Team Canada hockey jersey to work. I didn’t need to squeeze onto my morning bus for the first time in 17 days. The brightly coloured country flag circles (including the Aussie one in the middle of the bridge) that adorned Granville Street sidewalks have been erased. My bus travelled unimpeded up Granville Street without having to divert along Seymour, until it reached Smithe. There were no apparel hungry crowds lining up outside “The Bay”.

Oh this depresses me so much writing this…

There was maybe only one huge smile dressed in a sky-blue volunteers jacket waiting for me at Waterfront Station. There were no lineups for the Sea Bus. No odd but happy languages permeating the confines of the Sea Bus. No gang of volunteers at Lonsdale Quay asking me sweetly if I needed to get to Cypress Mountain or Whistler to see an event today, and where I should go if I did.

No streaming Olympic updates on the web to distract me WAY TOO MUCH at work. Nothing to make me want to leave work hours too early to line up for a ridiculous amount of time in lines that possibly would get me nowhere by the end of the night. No problems or delays using transit to get home. A distinct lack of international flags and maple leaves blanketing the city heart on my way home. And no beams of light shooting into the sky over English Bay.

And even as I sit here typing this now, there should be fireworks exploding over LiveCity Yaletown which I can view from my balcony. Alas, not tonight. Sigh…

…

I’m not the only one feeling down. Oh no. Here’s just a couple of tweets I noticed today from a couple of prominent Vancouver bloggers:

@VancityAllie Voice = gone, Health = sick, condo = disorder, waistline = +5, bank account = empty. But it was all worth it. Our country = united. Bedtime.

I can relate to Allie on pretty much EVERY point she has made there.

@karlwoll Seabus is so empty. No flags. No cheering. Only suitcases. So cold. So lonely. Hold me.

Take heart though people, we still have another 10 days of amazing sporting accomplishments and performances coming up between March 12-21 when the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games kick-off. If you’re not inspired by what takes place over these days of competition, then you have no heart. Each and every athlete coming to Vancouver for this special event has a story of tragedy, adversity, hope and achievement that will likely match anything we have witnessed so far.

I sincerely hope that the Paralympic athletes’ presence in the city brings about the same energy, support and amazing times that the good people of Vancouver (and Canada) afforded the world’s greatest Winter Olympians throughout February.

The closing ceremony last night did little to dispel some of these false concepts. But it was just Canada “taking the piss”, out of Canada in a way that is an amazing and admirable trait and one that perhaps the USA struggles to grasp.

So you can imagine my delight and surprise when a couple of examples of “Canadian love” shown by those yanks in the media were brought to my attention today (thanks TB & @jlmckenzie).

Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans

The first example is fantastic for two reasons. First, it’s a piece presented by respected NBC newsman Tom Brokaw. Secondly, it’s a well-presented educational piece which dispels false perceptions and presents a balanced look at Canada and how it’s important to the USA in many, many ways. Make sure you check it out, below, wherever you are in the world. I guarantee you will learn a thing or two about Canada that you don’t know right now.

Canada is a Winter Games wonderland

The second example, I have to be honest, brought a lump to my throat on more than one occasion. I am so proud of Vancouver, its people that have so generously adopted me over last 5 years, and the amazing show of enthusiasm, support and hospitality that has been shown over past 2 weeks of Olympic competition. The article which was brought to my attention today, is penned by LA Times journalist Bill Plaschke.

Chronicling his experiences in Vancouver with his 15-year-old daughter, Mary Clare, during his stint here, the article presents Vancouver in a surprisingly glowing light in a way, as I said earlier, that had me swallowing lumps. And while he’s not alone amongst international journos who have released similar stories over the past few days, he’s a yanky-doodle-dandy American and that, to me, means a lot!

Make sure you check out the full story here on the LA Times website, but here’s the few paragraphs that really hit “home” with me:

He appeared to be in his late 20s. He was wearing a scruffy beard, a pale bandanna, and wild stare. He jumped in front of Mary Clare on a darkened patch of sidewalk and started shouting.

“Eh, eh, eh!” he said.

She froze. Her brave and resourceful father also, um, froze.

At which point the man stuck out his hand.

“High-five, eh?” he said. “Great game, America. You won fair and square. We’ll see you in the finals.”

Before disappearing into the shadows, the man looked back at me with what appeared to be a wink.

“I know what you were thinking, but that’s not how we do it here,” he said. “We’re Canadian.”

So, it seems that this little event they call the “2010 Winter Olympics” that we had here over the past couple of weeks has not only united and strengthened the bond between all Canadians, it seems to have motivated a new found respect from our patriotic neighbours south of the border. And that can only be a good thing!

UPDATE: The whinging bloody poms have a change of heart…

Ok, so I just found another great article, but this time from the BBC. But first, remember that pommie boofhead who had the audacity to suggest:

It is hard to believe anything will surpass the organisational chaos and naked commercial greed of the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta or the financial disaster of the 1976 Games, which bankrupted Montreal, yet with every passing day the sense of drift and nervousness about the Vancouver Games grows ever more noticeable.

I say audacity because of two simple things.

1. The British showing at the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics. One well deserved Gold… and well… that’s it. Even Australia did better than that (2G, 1S). Credibility for Mr Donegan as result… next to nil.
2. Do I even have to bring up the subject of that 2012 logo? There’s a colossal calamity from the get-go.

Well now it seems that James Pearce is suggesting on his BBC Blog that perhaps the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics could have been the best Winter version ever with comments like:

In Beijing there was little buzz around the city. Yes, they were a fantastic Games in terms of quality of venues and competition, but not in terms of the amount of fun that people were having. Here the street party began on the opening night and it shows no signs of coming to an end just yet.

One senior official from London 2012, who’s been in Vancouver, told me that she’s learned more from five days in Canada than she had from three weeks in China. That’s because, in terms of spectator experience, London will be looking to follow the Vancouver model.

Good to read and I wish London all the very best of luck in a couple of years time!

Ok, so maybe it didn’t come as easily as we all would have hoped. A heart breaking goal by the USA in the final 24.4 seconds of the third period tied things up and stole away the regular time victory we all thought we were going to share. But in the end Sid “The Kid” Crosby (the guy who’s number is on the back of my jersey) pulled out a stunning goal right when it was needed to put the boys in red and white on top of the Olympic podium, capturing Canada’s 14th gold medal and adding to the largest gold medal haul by a single country in the Winter Olympics, in history.

I took the game in with friends from the comfort and electric atmosphere of the Vogue Theatre right in the heart of town on Granville Street with plenty of chaos going on out on the main drag outside (see photos below). We had an absolute ball and were stoked that we made the last minute decision last night, to attend. When Crosby slotted the decider, the place theatre erupted, and it statyed that way for a LONG time!

For me, Canada’s player of the game was probably a toss-up between decorated veteran Scott Niedermayer and defenseman Chris Pronger. Mind you Ryan Getzlaf was as consistent and vital as ever, as was Vancouver’s very own man between the pipes, Roberto Luongo.

I, like the tens of thousands still hooting and hollering on Robson and Granville, am on a SERIOUS high right now. These Olympics Games have been looming for me since I landed on these shores, and I’m so happy that I was able to take part in them, even if it was only from the sidelines.

Congratulations to Team Canada and ALL those Canadian, and Australian athletes who earned their place on the podium. Congratulations to all the other athletes that competed over the past 2+ weeks. Congratulations to all those behind the scenes and the thousands of amazing volunteers that made it all happen, and last but not least, congrats to the city of Vancouver and Whistler Village for showing the world such an amazing time!

What am I going to do with myself tomorrow now… *sigh*

Thankfully, we arrived early enough that we were spared the lengthy line ups I’d heard so much about so far during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Once inside, it was pretty clear that Holland Heineken House is as slick an operation as Molson Hockey House, which I was fortunate to experience the other day.

From the wide open entry, to the professional cloak room, the popular apparel and demo area to the Heineken smart cards and that amazing mashed potato with sauerkraut and bacon ensemble they were serving (whatever it was called). All very impressive, and all added to the overall “Holland Heineken House” experience.

The Dutch fans that were milling around were all very friendly and seemed genuinely excited that there was a big Canadian gold medal chance race coming up that wasn’t going to feature any orange clad athletes. Then, when the big race came along, there was a real electricity in the place. It was a close one, and my buddy Chris had to put in that little bit extra, support-wise, to get the Canadian team over the line against the USA:

We had a really fun afternoon at the Holland Heineken House and I’m happy to finally have this great venue ticked off on my Olympics to-do list. Check it out if you get the chance, and make sure you grab a serving of that mashed potato stuff – amazing!

I really don’t have the time to go into each amazing achievement on their own unfortunately. Sleep is needed ahead of the history-making day/gold medal hockey game tomorrow between Team Canada & the USA – another great shot at gold!

So, I’m going to do my best here to quickly acknowledge those Canadians of whom we are extremely proud of who received medals since last Thursday (Ladies Ice Hockey GOLD!), with emphasis placed on those athletes who have been responsible for the flurry of gold experienced this weekend which has already sealed Canada’s position as one of, if not the most successful nation in any Winter Olympics with a gold medal haul of 13 already (with one to come – fingers crossed!).

Thursday – 25 February, 2010

Ladies Free Skating – Joannie Rochette (Bronze)

A true heart-tugging story this one. Joannie’s beloved mother passed away last Sunday suffering a heart attack after arriving in Vancouver for the Games. She missed witnessing her daughter’s courageous short program by just 2 days. After she landed everything, earned the highest short-program marks of her life and secured herself an Olympic bronze medal, the tears started flowing both for Joannie and every inspired spectator in the stadium. What a moment.

Friday – 26 February, 2010

Ladies Curling – Canada (Silver)

After being a tower of strength and concentration for the past week and a bit, in the end Canada’s skip, the super sexy (I think so anyway) Cheryl Bernard, missed a pair of gold-medal winning shots in the 10th and 11th ends to lose to 7-6 to Sweden. A mighty effort nonetheless from the team – Susan O’Connor, Carolyn Darbyshire, Cori Bartel, Kristie Moore. The Canadian ladies are partly to blame for why I have a real respect for curling now. It’s actually really entertaining!

Men’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating – Charles Hamelin (Gold)

Men’s 500m Short Track Speed Skating – Francois-Louis Tremblay (Bronze)

In a wild final corner of the men’s 500m final, Canadian Francois-Louis Tremblay clashed with US glamour boy Apollo Ohno. The tussle effected South Korea’s Sung Si-Bak’s line as well reducing Hamelin’s final lunge for the line and ultimate gold. After review, Apollo Ohno was disqualified for pushing and Tremblay was rightfully promoted to the bronze medal position.

Men’s 5,000m Relay Short Track Speed Skating – Canada (Gold)

Gold medal winner Charles Hamelin joined fellow medalist Francois-Louis Tremblay, his brother Francois Hamelin and team mate Olivier Jean to take on talented squads from South Korea, China and the USA (amongst others) in the 5,000m relay on the short track. Happy to sit behind early pace setters China for the opening half of the race, the Canadian team used a measured strategy to ease in front of China in a crucial move that allowed them to cruise to victory and claim another Canadian gold!

Saturday – 27 February, 2010

Men’s 4-Man Bobsleigh – Canada (Bronze)

I have to admit I didn’t get to see this event LIVE. I suspect I was lining up for something, somewhere. Regardless, the boys (Lyndon Rush, Chris Le Bihan, David Bissett & Lascelles Brown) threw their little rocket down the Whistler ice tube with skill and confidence, only missing the silver medal (which went to Germany) by a measly 0.01 sec. A super effort from the fellas!

Men’s Team Pursuit Long Track Speed Skating (Gold)

This was a really cool event to watch, and from the Heineken House down in Richmond, home to the Dutch team who are the historical champions in long track speed skating, I managed to take in every last enthralling second of the race which saw the Canadian team comprising of Mathieu Giroux, Lucas Makowsky and Denny Morrison beat arch enemies, the USA, across the line to chalk up another Canadian gold on the medal tally sheet.

Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding – Jasey Jay Anderson (Gold)

Team Canada veteran Jasey Jay Anderson pulled out the snowboarding run of his life in the second run of the final of the men’s parallel giant slalom to upset Austrian favourite Benjamin Karl for gold!

Men’s Curling – Canada (Gold)

While the Norwegian Team were unanimous winners when it came to Olympic competition fashion, it was the Canadian team skippered by veteran Kevin Martin and consisting of John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben Herbert and Adam Enright, who were the most accurate on the day taking away a very popular gold for Canada!

Thanks to two first period goals by teenage sensation and Olympic debutant Marie-Philip Poulin of Beauceville, Quebec, the girls weathered numerous attacks by the US girls including multiple power plays including a critical five-on-three early in the second period.

The gold won tonight brings the consecutive Olympic gold medals for the women’s team to 3 after they beat the USA for the top prize back in 2002, and then Sweden in Torino in 2006.

Luckily for the spectators at Canada Hockey Place (GM Place), the medals were presented on-site straight after the game to a very happy bunch of ladies who I am sure will be partying on down town tonight until the wee hours!

One down, one to go. Team Canada (Mens) take on Slovakia in a blockbuster semi-final at 6:30pm PST (12:30pm Australian) tomorrow night! It’s going to be HUGE!!!