Come Play With Us

Feb 26, 2006

The first chapter in the story of Canada’s Games was shared with the world on February 26 as some 34,000 spectators at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino and an estimated 500 million global television viewers were invited by Canada and VANOC to “Come Play with Us” in Vancouver in 2010.

The open invitation was extended as part of VANOC’s eight-minute presentation during the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. A celebration of Canada’s passion for winter sport and teamwork, the dynamic segment featured uniquely Canadian talent and showcased themes and traditions that reflected the host country, province and city.

Opera great Ben Heppner, international rock superstar Avril Lavigne as well as young dancers and acrobatic performers from many parts of the country were among those featured in the all-Canadian cast.

Show Concept: “Come Play With Us”

All sport begins with play and friendship. “Come and play” is a universal expression of welcome that carries an implicit understanding of trust. It is also a reflection of our shared interest in the joy of winter sport and creates the opportunity for dreams of greatness.

Show Summary

Our invitation reflects Canada’s playful celebration of winter and the pleasure we find in friendly competition and teamwork. From the four corners of the world, generations have come to Canada to explore a world of possibility. We enjoy a fine balance between individual potential and fiercely loyal team spirit – a combination fundamental to our cosmopolitan Canadian society.
Highlights of the VANOC Presentation

His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of the City of Vancouver
• As the Mayor of Vancouver receives the Olympic Flag and the gift of the XXI Olympic Winter Games, it is Canada’s turn to invite people from around the world to “Come Play With Us” in Vancouver in 2010.
•Mayor Sam Sullivan is the first quadriplegic mayor to accept the Olympic flag on behalf of a host city.
•A specially designed stainless steel holster has been added to the Mayor’s high-tech wheelchair in order to assist him to receive the flag.
“O Canada”
•Performed by British Columbia’s Ben Heppner, one of the world’s finest dramatic tenors.
•Mr. Heppner regularly performs on the world’s top stages with leading opera companies, in concert with orchestras, and in recital.
Opening Video
•A short video montage transports the audience from Torino to Canada, highlighting the spectacular beauty of the 2010 host country, province and city.
Vancouver 2010’s Invitation to the World & Four Host First Nations Witnessing Ceremony
•The XXI Olympic Winter Games falls within the traditional territories of four of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples:
oThe Lil’ Wat (lill-watt) Nation
oThe Musqueam (muss-kwee-um) Nation
oThe Squamish (squwa-mish) Nation
oThe Tsleil-Waututh (tss-layl-wha-tooth) Nation
•For the Vancouver 2010 Games these peoples are collectively referred to as the “Four Host First Nations.”
•The VANOC performance begins as representatives of the Four Host First Nations, in keeping with their oral traditions, call upon and entrust each member of the audience to formally witness VANOC’s performance and then carry its message of invitation to their communities throughout the world.
•The Witnessing Ceremony is led, and VANOC’s invitation is presented, by Vancouver 2010 Board Member Chief Gibby Jacob on behalf of all Canadians.
•A specially designed ceremonial medallion is freely given to each audience member in recognition of this agreement.

“Come Play With Us”
•The show begins in Canada’s vast north, representing our huge land of equally huge opportunities.
•The action begins with the arrival of a ski-doo carrying an ice fisherman with big dreams of his own.
•A ski-doo is an engine-powered snow scooter with skis for steering. A Canadian invention, it is designed to travel across snow or ice and has become the workhorse of the North.
•The ice fisherman is joined by gleeful children as we are transported to Canada’s Prairies. The kids delight and revel in winter play in their snow-covered surroundings.
•The playfulness evolves into adolescent games and organized sport as, through projection, we move through memory and geography to settle in cosmopolitan Vancouver.
•International superstar Avril Lavigne emerges from the group, mounts the stage and performs her hit “Who Knows,” a song that underscores our message of limitless possibility, fun and welcome. Groups of teens surround her in depictions of curling, hockey and other Canadian games of winter.
•Canadians’ passion for teamwork and exploration underscores an emerging portrait of a land of Olympic dreams and opportunity as we are transported to a modern city of steel and glass:

Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Emblem
•Ilanaaq, VANOC’s official emblem and a symbol of friendship, is revealed and welcomes the world to Canada, a land of Olympic dreams and limitless opportunity.
Closing Video
•As the cast departs the stage a collage of video images captures the dynamic spirit and drive of Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver and Whistler in the 21st century, reinforcing VANOC’s invitation to the world to come and play, to compete, to celebrate with us in Vancouver in 2010.

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Download thecomplete broadcasters’ colour commentary