We asked about your strongest memory from when Vancouver and Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Games. A selection of reader comments follows. Thanks for replying; we are no longer accepting submissions.
"Myself, my husband and two children were at the blue fence at the base of Cypress as Alex Bilodeau took Canada's first Gold on Canadian soil! Such a proud moment! Felt so incredibly blessed to be there that moment! We vowed in 1988 that if Canada was to ever host another winter Olympics we would do everything we could to be there. The moment the venue was announced we started the planning. Perseverance and some luck brought us there!"
– Kathleen Ross, Oakville, Ont.
***
"My brother and I were walking down Main Street first day of the Games towards the Olympic Village to check it out. Walking towards us was a group of Russians in their uniforms. We knew then that something exciting was happening here."
– Coreen Douglas, Vancouver
***
"Actually, it wasn't the Olympic Games that were memorable for me; it was the Cultural Olympiad. Like most Vancouverites, I couldn't afford to attend any of the sports venues but there were a great many wonderful cultural events – visual arts, music, performance – most of which were affordable and many were free!"
– Alan Patrick, Kitsilano
***
"The complete six weeks I spent as a volunteer in the Olympic Village were the most enjoyable of my 70+ years. The other volunteers and the athletes were all on a high which I have never experienced before. So was the City of Vancouver. I would recommend it to all persons with sporting tendencies."
– Stuart Hamilton, Vancouver
***
"I was a volunteer for the 2010 Winter Olympics. 'Smurf' or 'Blue Jacket' they called us. I was so excited to get the position and be in Whistler for the entire duration of the Olympics. My most memorable moment: My first walk through the village after picking up my volley uniform. I had lived in Whistler from '97 to '01 and it has always been a special place in my heart with lots of great friends still living the dream there, so the walk through the village was pretty electric and exciting with so much international pride!"
– Rebecca Anderson, Calgary
***
"The amazing spirit of good will, fraternity and warmth in the huge crowds that gathered every day and evening in downtown Vancouver and in Whistler Village. It stands in stark contrast to what happened ... months later in the same downtown Vancouver."
– Gary Averbach, Vancouver
***
"The opening ceremonies. The music, the moments, seeing Canadians I've been so proud of bringing in the Olympic Flag. The issue with the torch in BC Place were a minor blemish and Gretzky's long drive in the rain a puzzle but discovering Shane Koyczan's spoken word brilliance and the leap forward in refining the Canadian identity were palpable."
– Patrick Hanlon, Calgary
***
"Went to the first events up on Cypress on Saturday – there was an uncomfortable damp chill in the air, the transportation system was a mess, and we left slightly dejected when Jen Heil missed out on the gold for women's moguls. Together with the tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, things were off to a dreadful start.
"We were fortunate enough to get up to Cypress the following Wednesday for snowboard half-pipe and saw Shaun White's epic performance. We didn't get to see Canada win any medals that day, but the organizers got the transportation logistics figured out, it was an absolutely gorgeous day, and the warm and fuzzy vibe of Olympic awesomeness was everywhere. I distinctly remember soaking in the sun on the bleachers and taking it all in."
– Mike P., East Vancouver
***
"Jon Montgomery walking down the street drinking from a pitcher of beer after winning gold!"
– Mike Hugenholtz, Saint John
***
"I spent the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a student reporter with Students Live, a program funded by the Ministry of Education.
"I took a month off of school in the suburbs and got to spend every day downtown, attending sporting and cultural events and press conferences at the International Media Centre. I blogged and live-tweeted events, put together videos, and interviewed some of my Olympic heroes, as well as fans and visitors from around the world.
"For a 16 year old aspiring journalist, it was the experience of a lifetime."
– Emily Chan, Ottawa
***