Skiers and snowboarders fly around a mountain as rollerbladers skate on the ground during the opening ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A rollerblading entertainer creates a blur of light along with dozens of others. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Olympic flame is ignited in the center of BC Place as the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics begin. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A snowboarder flies through the center of the Olympic rings at the start of the ceremony. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Team USA enters during the opening ceremony. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A woman and thousands of other spectators hold electric candles during the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony at BC Place in Vancouver. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Canada’s own k.d. lang sings during the opening ceremony. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian armed forces raise the Canadian flag as Nikki Yanofsky, top right, performs the national anthem during the opening ceremony. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
A snowboarder sails through the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics at Vancouver, Canada. (Mark Baker / Associated Press)
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada. (Saeed Khan / AFP/Getty Images)
Audience members participate in the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. (Adrian Dennis / AFP/Getty Images)
The Olympic rings shine bright through a blue haze across BC Place. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
Just before the start of the opening ceremony, a video screen announces that the gala will be dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili, a luger from the Republic of Georgia who died earlier in the day when he crashed during a practice run. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Flag bearer Mark Grimmette leads the U.S. team into BC Place. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Members of Team Canada wave to the crowd as they enter BC Place. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Poland’s Konrad Niedzwiedzki waves his country’s flag as team members enter BC Place. (Mark Baker / Associated Press)
Flag bearer Alexandra Zaretsky leads Israel into BC Plaza. (Ivan Sekretarev / Associated Press)
Athletes from Finland wave to the crowd as they enter BC Place. (Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)
Athletes from Russia enter the stadium. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
A spectator bangs her cardboard drum during the opening ceremony. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A performer is suspended in the air during the ceremony. (Gerry Broome / Associated Press)
Nelly Furtado, who sang “Bang the Drums” with Bryan Adams, blows a kiss after her performance. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images)
A lighted polar bear rises above performers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
