BITTERSWEET OLYMPICS: It began in tears, ended in cheers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – An Olympics that began with the death of a luger ended Sunday with an exuberant celebration of Canada – reflecting a determined comeback by the host country’s organizers and athletes.

A festive crowd of 60,000 jammed into BC Place Stadium for the closing ceremony, many of them Canadians abuzz over the overtime victory by their men’s hockey team earlier in the day to give the host nation a Winter Olympics record of 14 gold medals.

The gaiety – capped by a boisterous rock concert – contrasted sharply with the moment of silence at the opening ceremony Feb. 12 for Nodar Kumaritashvili, the 21-year-old luger killed in a horrific training-run crash on the sliding track in Whistler just hours before that ceremony.

The speakers of honor on Sunday, chief Vancouver organizer John Furlong and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, each paid tribute to the young athlete.

“We are so sorry for your loss,” Furlong said, addressing himself to the nation of Georgia. “May the legacy of your favorite son never be forgotten and serve to inspire youth everywhere to be champions in life.”

Furlong then shifted to a more upbeat tone.

“I believe Canadians tonight are stronger, more united, more in love with our country and more connected to each other than ever before,” he said.

He paid tribute to moguls skier Alexandre Bilodeau, winner of Canada’s first gold medal at these games, and said of the final gold, won by the hockey team, “Our last one will be remembered for generations.”

Rogge then pronounced the games closed, after describing them as “excellent and very friendly.”

Neil Young, the durable Canadian folk-rock star, performed a lyrical version of his “Long May You Run” – and the Olympic flame faded away as he ended.

Canadian officials ensured an extra measure of poignancy at the ceremony by selecting figure skater Joannie Rochette as their flagbearer. Her mother died of a heart attack hours after arriving in Vancouver last weekend, but Rochette chose to carry on and won a bronze medal, inspiring her teammates and fans around the world.

“Yes, it’s been a tough week for me,” she said before the ceremony. “But I walk tonight into that stadium with a big smile on my face. ... I accomplished my goals, and I want to celebrate with my teammates.”

Her entire team was greeted with a mighty roar when they joined the fast-moving, informal parade of athletes into the stadium. Among the cheerleaders was Prime Minister Stephen Harper, wearing a Canada jacket.

There were plenty of reasons for Canada and the United States to celebrate after 17 days of competition. The US won 37 medals overall – the most ever for any nation in a Winter Olympics.

Canada, after a slow start, set a Winter Games record with 14 golds and sparked public enthusiasm in Vancouver that veterans of multiple Olympics described as unsurpassed.                (AP)