Cavalcade of Canadian Stars Closes Vancouver Olympics
At the Olympics, the opening ceremonies are all about pomp, circumstance, propriety, and dignity. Focused on celebration and general merriment, the closing ceremonies are just one mammoth party for the athletes. At Canada Place on Sunday night, the Canadians showed 60,000 spectators, all the Olympic athletes, and a worldwide television audience that they can throw one terrific party. Featuring an all-Canadian cast and the same thrilling visual effects that distinguished the Games’ opening, Sunday night’s gala put a fine finish on seventeen days of exceptionally good-spirited competition.
First, of course, the Olympic officials took care of their business, passing the torch and giving a preview of what people can expect in Sochi. The Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the mighty Russian Ballet performed, and a troop of Royal Canadian Mounted Police raised the Russian flag over the proceedings. The world, indeed, can expect some fireworks from the Russians in Sochi, as President Putin has expressed his general displeasure with Russia’s performance at this year’s games.
Business concluded, the party began. Catherine O’hara, best known as the mom in the series of Home Alone movies, showed typically self-deprecating Canadian humour, waiting for curlers to sweep her path to the stage and then gently poking fun at Canadians’ propensity for saying they’re sorry. William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, and Michael Buble followed in quick succession.
Then, the serious partying kicked into high gear. Nickelback rocked the crowd with brilliant renditions of their current hits. Thunderous applause for Nickelback barely waned before Avril Lavigne appeared—no longer a teen-aged punker, Avril appeared all grown-up in a spectacular red satin dress, and she belted out “My Happy Ending” and “Girlfriend” for clearly delighted gliders and sliders. Rounding-out the series of virtuoso performances, Alanis Morisette serenaded the crowd as spectacular visual effects made them part of the show.
As the party wound-down, the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee proved that it could take a joke as well as any other random collection of Canadians: An overall-clad mime with an electric tool belt “repaired” the broken arm that failed to lift during the opening ceremonies. Speed-skating legend Catriona LeMay waited patiently for the arm to rise—just as she had in the opening. This time, arm successfully lifted skyward, LeMay lit the torch to a standing ovation.
Finally, still rocking the free world after five decades, Neil Young pointedly and poignantly sang “Long May You Run.” As Young sang, “We’ve been through some things together/ With trunks of memories still to come,” the Olympic torches went dark, and the Games officially came to an end.
