After the epic Canada-US hockey final, the celebrations continued on to the BC Place for the Closing Ceremonies, where the twenty-first Winter Olympic Games came to a close. It has been 16 unbelievable days. Being an Olympic city, we were concerned about traffic jams and unceasing construction ahead of the Games. But, in the last sixteen days, something else took prevalence. The city did change, but in a good way. Everyone’s daily routine was affected, but few complained.

Canadians do not usually like to put their patriotic feelings on display, but it all changed when the flame was lit at the BC Place Stadium on February 12. I have never seen Canada so proud. And, proud we were with the record 14 gold medals on home turf. Now, with Sochi 2014 up next, it is Russia’s turn to be proud.

The mood was set during the Sochi 2014 presentation at the Closing Ceremonies in Vancouver. Sochi impressed with its spectacular array of performers. From classic ballet and Soviet music tradition to Polovtsian Dances and the firebird, I heard nothing but “wow” from the people sitting next to me. Than, it was our turn to make the presentation complete. The audience was given a little “zorb” as part of the Closing Ceremonies gift package. So, each of us had a little glass snow dome with “Sochi 2014” carved inside that lit up in the colours of the Russian flag. It was a small token that connected all of us in the stands, and I am sure everyone who got the zorb will cherish it as a souvenir.