Even with the Sochi Olympics still fresh in our minds, it’s hard to believe that four years have already passed since Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The streets were filled with thousands of Vancouverites celebrating the success of the games and the world seeing our beautiful city. We walked through the streets with our chins up and chests out, proud Canadians draped in Canadian gear. Metro Vancouver was the centre of attention and we knew it. We were setting a tone — an example of how a proud country should celebrate the Games. The culture of Metro Vancouver had changed for these 2 weeks. People were happy, optimistic, hopeful and celebrating in every way they could — whether that meant lining up at pubs, celebrating with friends and family at the Canada House or simply creating thousands of Inukshuks along the water. Vancouver was the place to be.
Although the 2010 Winter Olympics surpassed all expectations and were a time that no one will forget, a few groups still suggest that Expo 86 was a much better investment for the city. Expo didn’t just increase patriotism, but helped put Vancouver on the map. It brought everyone together, helped celebrate the different cultures of the world, and connected the people from Surrey to Vancouver in just 45 minutes with the then brand new Expo Skytrain line. It also made Vancouver a hub for some of its wealthiest new immigrants. It changed the landscape of what we now call Southeast False Creek, and truly gave Vancouver an identity. Expo created jobs, drove population growth and provided a boost to the economy.
Whether or not you agree that Expo provided a greater benefit to the city than 2010, it cannot be disputed that, like other cities that host the Olympics, Vancouver’s turn at playing host resulted in a number of amazing new infrastructure investments. From the brand new convention centre, the Richmond Oval, and the rapid transit Canada Line, the Olympic legacies are numerous. The Olympic Village, in the heart of Southeast False Creek, is now one of the most flourishing neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver. Today, all of these public assets are being used daily by the same Vancouverites who remember cheering the “Golden Goal” during the final game of the Olympic Men’s Hockey.
Even though four years have passed, many of us can’t help but remember the energy in the air, the camaraderie with fellow Canadians and the vibrant city events. Regardless of all of stats and naysayers, this feeling is why the 2010 Winter Olympics will continue to be one of the most memorable moments for all Vancouverites and Canadians. It felt good to win, and even better to display our national pride. Even if this “feeling” was all that we Vancouverites gained from the 2010 Olympics, we think it was very successful indeed.
