Olympics News and Info

Ice hockey: Olympic Games… a notch above NHL, says Holland – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver (AFP) - Bringing home the Olympic hockey gold is not a sprint to the finish but an exercise in managing nerves and overcoming hardships, says Canada associate general manager Ken Holland.

"People want us to win in six straight games but teams that win the Olympics are the ones that handle the adversity the best," Holland told AFP while watching the Canadian players practice at Canada Hockey Place arena ahead of Sunday's gold medal clash against the United States.

"When we first got here we expected bumps in the road. We had a huge emotional game against Russia. We survived a big scare from Slovakia. All these experiences prepare you for future ones."

Canada will attempt to become the first team to win Olympic hockey gold on home ice in 30 years when they meet the USA.

As GM of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, Holland guided his club to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008.

He said the NHL playoffs are intense but for a short tournament nothing compares to the Olympics.

"We have been to the Stanley Cup finals two years in a row and we have got just seven players in this tournament. You have got all the top players from all the top NHL lines here. Everybody is so good," Holland said.

"The checkers on these Olympics teams are 30-goal scorers in the NHL. The speed of these games is another notch above the NHL game."

Holland said it hasn't been difficult for management to get the Canadian players to buy into what they are trying to achieve at the Vancouver Olympics.

Forwards like Dany Heatley are counted on for scoring with the San Jose Sharks but he has been a physical force for Canada throughout this tournament.

"We told the guys if you don't play on the power-play here then you have to contribute in another way. Maybe take a defensive role, block shots, throw checks," Holland said.

It can work the other way too. Forward Brenden Morrow has never been a big scorer in the NHL but he scored a key goal in Canada's 3-2 win over Slovakia in the semi-finals.

"The goals are a bonus and come from the law of averages," said Morrow. "If you work hard enough then you get some bounces. My goals are never pretty but they come from winning the battles."

That's exactly the kind of thinking that Holland and coach Mike Babcock, who also coaches the Red Wings, are looking for in their players.

"We told the players at the start of the tournament that when it is over no one is going to remember what you did. They will remember what the team did. It is about the team and the country," Holland said.

Holland, who played goal in the NHL for the Red Wings and Hartford Whalers, said he's not worried about Canada's goaltending in these Olympics.

"Roberto Luongo in the last five minutes against Slovakia made some key saves and a gigantic one on Pavol Demitra," Holland said of Luongo, who was under seige in the last eight minutes of the third period in Canada's 3-2 semi-final win over Slovakia.

"We haven't been outplayed yet so our goalie hasn't had to steal a game for us.

"I am sure Roberto would like to have the first goal against Slovakia back. But at the same time he made huge saves when the game was on the line."

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Figure skating: Rochette, Kim Yu-Na, Lysacek headline closing Gala – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver (AFP) - Joannie Rochette thanked the public for their support in a gala finale which featured gold medallists Kim Yu-Na and Evan Lysacek and brought the curtain down on two weeks of Olympic figure skating on Saturday.

Rochette, 24, skated a Celine Dion-themed tribute "Vole (Flight)" for her mother Thérèse who died just days before her bronze place finish in Vancouver.

Wearing dark mauve, the Canadian bronze medallist again earned an ovation from the home crowd, as she bid farewell to the Pacific Coliseum rink which has been the scene of the most painful and memorable moments of her life.

The 12 medallists from the four disciplines - men's, women's, pairs and ice dancing - performed during a two-and-a-half hour show alongside top-placed finishers, children and up-and-coming Canadian skaters.

South Korean superstar Kim took to the ice to the chants of "Yu-Na" from her many fans.

The fact she missed her opening jump didn't matter, as the 19-year-old's rivalry with Japan's Mao Asada was forgotten in her skate to Jules Massenet's "Meditation from Thais."

Silver medallist Asada, introduced to the public as the "Queen of the triple axel", skated to Paganini's "Caprice" while teammate Miki Ando chose the classical "Requiem" by Mozart.

"It's sad that it's come to an end, it's been a dream," said Lysacek, who performed to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

"Tonight we skate freely, without rules and show our technical skills and passion for performance. The greatest skaters in the world are skating as one.

"I haven't got much sleep since (his gold medal performance), I just want to stay awake to enjoy the whole experience."

Canada's first ice dance gold medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir received a rousing reception for their comical routine "Everyone Dance Now" where she plays the ballerina in a black tutu to his Canada ice hockey fan.

Russia's Yevgeny Plushenko, the deposed men's champion, skated to the French song "Je suis malade" by Serge Lama, while Japan's Daisuke Takahashi performed to Okawari's "Luv Letter."

China's acrobatic pairs skaters were well represented, led by gold medallists Shen Xhe and Zhao Hongbo, who skated to Andrea Boccelli's "Io Ci Saro" before a spectacular display of fireworks brought the event to a close.

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Figure skating: Rochette, Kim Yu-Na, Lysacek headline closing Gala – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver (AFP) - Joannie Rochette thanked the public for their support in a gala finale which featured gold medallists Kim Yu-Na and Evan Lysacek and brought the curtain down on two weeks of Olympic figure skating on Saturday.

Rochette, 24, skated a Celine Dion-themed tribute "Vole (Flight)" for her mother Thérèse who died just days before her bronze place finish in Vancouver.

Wearing dark mauve, the Canadian bronze medallist again earned an ovation from the home crowd, as she bid farewell to the Pacific Coliseum rink which has been the scene of the most painful and memorable moments of her life.

The 12 medallists from the four disciplines - men's, women's, pairs and ice dancing - performed during a two-and-a-half hour show alongside top-placed finishers, children and up-and-coming Canadian skaters.

South Korean superstar Kim took to the ice to the chants of "Yu-Na" from her many fans.

The fact she missed her opening jump didn't matter, as the 19-year-old's rivalry with Japan's Mao Asada was forgotten in her skate to Jules Massenet's "Meditation from Thais."

Silver medallist Asada, introduced to the public as the "Queen of the triple axel", skated to Paganini's "Caprice" while teammate Miki Ando chose the classical "Requiem" by Mozart.

"It's sad that it's come to an end, it's been a dream," said Lysacek, who performed to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

"Tonight we skate freely, without rules and show our technical skills and passion for performance. The greatest skaters in the world are skating as one.

"I haven't got much sleep since (his gold medal performance), I just want to stay awake to enjoy the whole experience."

Canada's first ice dance gold medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir received a rousing reception for their comical routine "Everyone Dance Now" where she plays the ballerina in a black tutu to his Canada ice hockey fan.

Russia's Yevgeny Plushenko, the deposed men's champion, skated to the French song "Je suis malade" by Serge Lama, while Japan's Daisuke Takahashi performed to Okawari's "Luv Letter."

China's acrobatic pairs skaters were well represented, led by gold medallists Shen Xhe and Zhao Hongbo, who skated to Andrea Boccelli's "Io Ci Saro" before a spectacular display of fireworks brought the event to a close.

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Canada wins medal race as Austria rues alpine flop – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver (AFP) - Canada ensured it will finish its home Olympic Winter Games with more gold than anyone else Saturday as Italy's Giuliano Razzoli won the slalom to condemn once-proud Austria to their worst men's alpine showing since 1936.

On the penultimate day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the Canadians had 13 gold after capturing three more Saturday. Germany have 10 and the United States nine.

There are only two more medal events left, including a blockbuster ice hockey final between Canada and the United States that closes the 17 days of competition on Sunday.

If the hosts win, they will become the first country ever to bag 14 gold from a single Winter Games.

The US can't overtake their North American rivals, but a gold by Steven Holcomb's USA 1 in the men's four-man bobsleigh meant they equalled the most medals by any nation at a single Games in Winter Olympic history.

Add in a guaranteed medal from the hockey and they have 37 -- one more than Germany's 36 medal haul from 2002 in Salt Lake City for a new rocord.

Veteran Canadian Jasey Jay Anderson upset Austrian favourite Benjamin Karl in the men's snowboard parallel slalom to give the hosts their first gold of the day, sparking more celebrations in a country that has embraced the Olympic Winter Games with a passion.

"A true athlete drives out adversity so I try to be a true athlete. I love being in new situations where I rise above the challenge," said the beaming 34-year-old.

Canada then won the men's speed skating team pursuit ahead of the United States and the Netherlands before their dominant men's curlers crushed Norway 6-3 which delivered the magical 13th gold.

"We need to have more Olympic Games in our country don't we? Because the crowd is a major factor, when you have that extra player on the field," said Canada curling skip Kevin Martin.

Razzoli clocked a combined total of 1min 39.32sec over the two runs to win the slalom, 0.16sec ahead of Croatia's Ivica Kostelic with Andre Myhrer of Sweden third.

"It's a dream because I've been training a lot for this day. It's incredible," said Razzoli.

"It's been a long time coming, the last time Italy had a medal in the slalom was in 1992, and now in 2010, it's fantastic."

His victory left Austria's alpine reputation in tatters as their men limped out of the Games without a single medal from five alpine events.

It is their men's worst performance since 1936, when alpine skiing was first introduced at the Olympic Winter Games.

"That's very disappointing for our team but we have to handle it. It's not easy," said team member Benjamin Raich.

"It's hard to say (why the team have failed). We have trained very well and we were prepared, so that was not the problem. It was close.

Elsewhere, Germany won the women's speed-skating team pursuit title with Japan taking silver and Poland the bronze.

Pole Justyna Kowalczyk, meanwhile, claimed victory in the women's 30km cross country after a photo-finish with Marit Bjoergen, the Norwegian she accused of cheating her way to three Olympic golds.

Kowalczyk, who claimed her rival used asthma medication to fuel her triple triumph, came home in one hour 30min 33.7sec, with Bjoergen just 0.3sec behind.

She apologised for the slur Saturday.

"I am sorry, because it wasn't a good time for such a question and opinion," she said.

After losing to Canada and the United States respectively, Slovakia and Finland must pick themselves up for the bronze medal ice hockey decider.

The Slovaks staged a late comeback to scare Canada in their semi on Friday before losing 3-2, while the Finns were hit by a six-goal first-period blitz by the US and never recovered, crashing 6-1.

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Ice hockey: Finland battle back to capture bronze – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

VANCOUVER (AFP) - Finland came back from 3-1 down to defeat Slovakia 5-3 in the bronze medal game of the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament on Saturday, to capture their fourth medal since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.

Olli Jokinen scored two third period goals, including the game winner, for Finland who are the only repeat medallist in the Vancouver hockey tournament.

The Finns won the silver four years ago at the 2006 Turin Games. Russia (bronze) and Sweden (gold) were eliminated in the quarter-finals in Vancouver.

The Slovaks made the Finns work for the win as they buzzed the Finnish goal in the final minutes trying to get the equalizer just like they did against Canada in the semi-finals.

Finnish goalie Miikka Kiprusoff kept the puck out his net but he also had help from the post and his defencemen on different scoring chances.

Jokinen got the winner with just over 11 minutes left in the final period as he took a pass and squeezed through a pair of Slovak defenders before backhanding the puck between the legs of goaltender Jaroslav Halak to make it 4-3.

Forward Valtteri Filppula got the insurance goal into an empty net to close out the scoring for Finland whose roster includes a number of aging stars who are likely playing in their last Olympics.

Finnish national team mainstays Teemu Selanne and Ville Peltonen are nearing the end of their international careers.

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Cross-country skiing: Northug wins men’s 50km gold – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Whistler (AFP) - Norway's Petter Northug won the men's 50km cross-country skiing gold on Sunday, beating Germany's Axel Teichmann in a two-up sprint to the line.

Teichmann ended with silver and Johan Olsson of Sweden took the bronze.

Northug's second gold of the Games, after his victory in the team sprint event, came after a thrilling end to the two-hour nordic epic.

After most of the field had been left trailing by a lead group of 20 skiers Teichmann upped the pace in the final kilometre.

That took a further toll on the chasing bunch and when they sighted the stadium on the final descent, the German was soon in everyone's sights.

Northug, the overall World Cup leader, pushed hard on his poles to pull level with Teichmann as they raced around the final bend.

And the Norwegian carried that momentum over the next 100 metres to the finish line where he beat Teichmann by just 0.3sec. Olsson was third at 1.0sec.

Northug now has four medals from the Vancouver Winter Games.

After a slow start to his campaign, the 24-year-old won bronze in the individual sprint and gold in the team sprint after leaving his rivals for dead on the final hill.

He then anchored the Norway team to a second place finish in the 4x10km relay on Wednesday.

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Historic 2010 Olympic Games gold medal winning puck donated by IIHF/VANOC to Hockey Hall of Fame – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Overtime pucks added to gold medal game pucks on sale at www.vancouver2010.com/auction

Vancouver, BC – The permanent home of perhaps the most famous six ounces of hard rubber in hockey history – the puck with which Canada’s Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal on Team USA during the overtime period of the Olympic gold medal game – will go to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and four pucks used in the same overtime period are now available for purchase at www.vancouver2010.com/auction

International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President René Fasel and Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) CEO John Furlong jointly made the announcement of the donation of the gold medal winning puck to the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF). The famous puck has been delivered by the IIHF to the HHOF, where it will be put onto public display as soon as possible. 

VANOC also confirmed that four pucks used in the overtime period and collected for VANOC by on-ice officials have been added to the selection of sport memorabilia now available through public auction at vancouver2010.com/auction.

All of the pucks feature the Olympic rings in white and Vancouver 2010’s distinctive blue and green Look of the Games.

Gold medal game winning puck:

The game winning puck was retrieved through joint efforts by the IIHF, VANOC and the HHOF to locate it following the game. In the celebrations and tumult of media attention and post-game activities, various officials who had possession of the puck could not immediately identify the appropriate person to hand it off to and so safeguarded it until it could be handed over directly to the IIHF last week.  Photos of the gold medal game winning puck are available with this news release and at http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/media-centre/image-gallery/event-photos/event-photos_144050sl.html

“I am happy to see that the puck is going to the hockey hall of fame,” said Sidney Crosby. “I feel very lucky to have been part of that team and that game as well and I am glad hockey fans will get the chance to share the moment by seeing things like the overtime winning puck up close.”

“What an incredible hockey tournament in Vancouver capped off with a gold medal game that will never be forgotten,” said René Fasel. “The IIHF is proud to help ensure that this valuable piece of hockey history will hold an honoured place for all to see it and to remember where they were and what they felt at the exact moment the goal was scored.”

“The moment of the winning goal from the men’s gold medal game at the Vancouver 2010 Games is burned into the memory of Canadians – and all hockey fans – forever,” said John Furlong.  “This puck and the teams that fought hard to score with it in overtime represent some of the most exciting moments of the 2010 Games and we’re delighted to donate it to the Hockey Hall of Fame so that everyone can enjoy it for years to come.”

“The gold medal winning puck is a treasure that will attract so many hockey fans to the Hall and we’re extremely happy that it’s on its way here,” said Phil Pritchard,” Curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame. “Thanks to the IIHF and to VANOC for making this happen and we look forward to getting the puck and making arrangements for it to take its rightful place with the other memorabilia that represent great moments in hockey history.”

Gold medal game warm up, regulation time and overtime pucks at www.vancouver2010.com/auction:

VANOC put into place a process whereby at any stoppage of play in the gold medal hockey game linesmen swapped out the puck in play for a new one and the game pucks were collected and marked for the period in which they were played. Pucks collected in the game warm up and first three periods of the gold medal game have already sold at auction for between $3500 - $5900 CDN, with warm up pucks selling for up to $700 CDN. The four pucks used during the overtime period of the gold medal game have been added to the online auction at vancouver2010.com/auctions and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity

“There’s been great interest to date in the official sport memorabilia auction such as hockey pucks, jerseys and podia. The bidding for gold medal game overtime pucks – and another chance to own a piece of Olympic history -- is likely to be fierce,” said Dennis Kim, VANOC’s Director of Licensing and Merchandising.  The Vancouver 2010 auction is the only source for official 2010 Winter Games memorabilia and for the first time in the history of the Games, some of the most coveted items used during competition including medal podia, medal trays, pucks, ski gates, game-worn jerseys and more are available for purchase.

About the IIHF:

The IIHF, the governing body of international ice hockey and inline hockey, features 68 member associations, each of which is the national governing body of the sport in its nation. Besides controlling the international rulebook, processing international player transfers, and dictating officiating guidelines, the IIHF runs numerous development programs designed to bring hockey to a broader population. The IIHF also presides over ice hockey in the Olympic Games and over the IIHF World Championships at all levels, men, women, juniors under-20, juniors under-18 and women under-18. Each season, the IIHF in collaboration with its local organizing committees, runs around 25 different World Championships in the five different categories. Visit www.iihf.com

About the HHOF: 

The Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in 1943 to establish a memorial to those who have developed Canada's great winter sport -- ice hockey. Incorporated in 1983, Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum ("HHFM") exists in order to honour and preserve the history of the game of ice hockey, and in particular, those who have made outstanding contributions and achievements in the development of the game. The HHFM collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and promotes all objects, images and histories which are determined to be significant to the story of ice hockey in Canada, and throughout the world. Visit www.hhof.com

About VANOC:

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler are hosting the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com

Amazing work of Vancouver 2010 volunteers recognized by Jet Set Sports and CoSport – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Companies to provide highly prized tickets to Closing Ceremony of 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC ― Two hundred and fifty volunteers who worked tirelessly to help make the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games a success will be able to attend the spectacular Closing Ceremony tonight, thanks to a generous donation of tickets by Jet Set Sports and its affiliate company CoSport.

The companies, which are Official Supporters of the 2010 Winter Games, made the announcement this morning with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) at the Main Press Centre (MPC) in downtown Vancouver.

“We’re so pleased to help recognize the outstanding efforts of some of the more than 18,500 volunteers from across Canada and more than 50 countries at the Olympic Winter Games who have helped make this an international sporting event watched by millionsof spectators here and billions around the globe,” said Jet Set Sports company founder and CEO Sead Dizdarevic. “The volunteers have been great ambassadors for the city of Vancouver and all of Canada in helping to host these great Games.”

Jet Set Sports has donated more than 12,000 complimentary event tickets to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games for use by local school children, volunteers, security personnel, athlete families and numerous other non-profit organizations. In addition, Jet Set Sports stepped in at the last minute to provide complimentary hotel rooms to 11 Make-a-Wish families from around the world.

The 250 tickets were awarded to volunteers through a random draw. The lucky volunteers will be contacted by VANOC later this morning with details on when and where to collect their tickets for the ceremony, which will feature a special tribute to the volunteers of the Games.

“This is an amazing opportunity for these volunteers to participate in the Olympic Closing Ceremony and we are thrilled to reward them with this very generous gift from Jet Set and CoSport,” said VANOC CEO John Furlong. “Our volunteers have come in every day and given their all to make Canada’s Games something every resident from coast to coast to coast could stand up and be proud of. Without their support, these Games quite simply would not have been possible. They are our greatest ambassadors and helped make the athletes, the country and the Games shine with glowing hearts.”

About Jet Set Sports
Jet Set Sports and its sister company CoSport are leading providers of Olympic Games hospitality packages and Olympic Games event tickets to corporate clientele and the general public. Since 1984, Jet Set Sports has provided clients with unparalleled hospitality experiences at Olympic Games through its VIP Hospitality Programs and Hospitality Management Services. The company is an official sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the US Olympic Committee and various other National Olympic Committees throughout the world. Most recently, the company was an Official Sponsor of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, visit www.jetsetsports.com and www.cosport.com.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Don’t miss a minute of the action! What spectators need to know before going downtown to celebrate the final day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Don’t miss a minute of the action! What spectators need to know before going downtown to celebrate the final day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Whether you are sitting in a seat at Canada Hockey Place or watching from a one of the celebration sites, know before you go and travel smart:

1. Plan ahead for extra travel time.

Today there will be very large numbers of pedestrians and crowds traveling into and out of Downtown for the Gold Medal Men’s Hockey Game and the Closing Ceremony, so vehicle travel will be challenging. Come Downtown to celebrate, but don't bring your car- take transit, walk or cycle, and plan ahead for extra travel time.

1. Checkout Travelsmart2010.com for the latest news regarding road restrictions and transportation schedules.

Beatty Street (between Smithe and Dunsmuir) and Robson Street (between Cambie and Beatty) will temporarily close to vehicles and have limited access for pedestrians on February 28 from 8:00 am to midnight. Additionally, Olympic Lanes and temporary parking restrictions extend through to the morning of March 2 to support large volumes of traffic traveling to and from Downtown Vancouver, and to the Vancouver International Airport.

1. Celebrate in the streets - responsibly.

Use dedicated pedestrian routes: Pedestrian corridors on streets such as Granville and Robson will continue to operate on February 28. At noon, some or all of the road space will become pedestrian only areas until midnight.  Watch out for bus traffic as approximately 600 to 700 motorcoaches and hundreds of transit buses will travel and/or park on many downtown streets between 8:00 am and midnight.

1. Get in on the action.If you don’t have tickets for seats inside Canada Hockey Place or BC Place, make your way toRobson Square and LiveCity Yaletown for live broadcasts of the Gold Medal Men’s Hockey Game and Closing Ceremonies on large outdoor screens.
2. Get in your seat. Gates to BC Place open at 1:30 pm for the Closing Ceremony. Those arriving early will be able to watch the end of the Gold Medal Men’s Hockey Game live on the giant indoor screens. The pre-show begins at 4:30 pm and includes special instructions for the audience participation elements that will make the Closing Ceremony unique. Those who arrive within the last 90 minute before an event starts typically experience the longest waits for transportation, to clear security, to pass through the ticket gates, and to use the concessions and washrooms – and risk missing the beginning of the show. For these reasons, we encourage ticket holders to arrive at BC Place between 1:30 and 3:30 pm on Sunday.

Canada: We own the podium, say Canadians – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Vancouver (AFP) - Ecstatic Canadian team chiefs Sunday said their 'Own the Podium' programme had been justified, and Jacques Rogge agreed, as the country ended with the most gold medals ever won at an Olympic Winter Games.

The host nation captured their 14th gold when their men's ice hockey team beat the United States 3-2 in overtime in the Games' last event.

It put Canada one clear of the previous best golden haul of 13 held by Russia and Norway.

Before the Games, Canada vowed to win the most medals in the controversial, and hugely expensive, programme but later were forced to back down when it became clear the task was beyond them.

The programme sparked debate across the country and beyond, with some saying it was arrogant while others felt it promoted national pride.

But team chiefs on Sunday praised the performance of their athletes who finished third in the total medal count.

"As I said in the opening press conference, we were going to own the podium and we did -- the very top of the podium. Our very own Canadian team has reached a new level of excellence," said Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) president-elect Marcel Aubut

"The Games have produced heroes from all corners of their country. What a tremendous accomplishment."

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge agreed that the programme had worked.

"It is paramount for the home team to win to create the sort of atmosphere we have seen," he said.

"I believe 'Own the Podium' is a success. There has been criticism but you can legitimately ask whether there would have been any gold without 'Own the Podium'."

COC president Michael Chambers said the Games had been an "unprecedented success," defending the "Own the Podium" programme as bold and well thought-out.

"Canada's athletes came to these Games not with a swagger but with a confidence that they could do what they were setting out to do. They believed in themselves.

"I truly believe that what they have done over the course of these past two weeks, they've inspired an entire nation to believe in themselves."

"Canadian athletes have won more medals at this Olympic Winter Games than any Canadian Olympic Winter team has ever won," he added.

"It is a greater number of gold medals at either a Summer or Winter Games than an Olympic team has ever brought back to Canada or in this case kept in Canada."

He praised organising committee VANOC for "inspiring a nation" and thanked the national sporting federations for their part in the success.

Canadian chef-de-mission Nathalie Lambert thanked the Canadian team for the "17 best days of my life" and for providing moments that would stay with her forever.

Team chiefs, meanwhile, announced that Joannie Rochette, who won a bronze in figure skating just days after her mother died suddenly, would carry the flag in Sunday's closing ceremony.

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