One year from today, February 12, 2010, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games open in British Columbia.

The Vancouver Province published the following schedule of celebratory events happening today in Vancouver and Whistler, the host cities for the Winter Games:

Whistler Village Square, 8 a.m.: Unveiling of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch and torchbearer uniforms.

Lord Strathcona Elementary School, Vancouver, 10 a.m.: Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson plays floor hockey with Olympic athletes, mascots and students.

Richmond Speed-Skating Oval, 5 p.m.: Premier Gordon Campbell and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge invite athletes from around the world.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, 7:30 p.m.: Olympic countdown concert headlined by Sarah McLachlan.

And in case you haven’t been following the hype in Canada about the upcoming Olympics, the Vancouver Sun has the background story:

The competition will begin at Whistler Olympic Park on Feb. 12, 2010, with ski jumping the only event scheduled for the first day. The opening ceremonies will officially mark the start of the Games later that evening at the 60,000-seat BC Place Stadium.

By the time the Olympic flame is extinguished on Feb. 28, about 5,000 athletes from about 80 countries will have competed in 16 sports.

For more details on the 2010 Olympics, visit Vancouver2010.com.

Photo ©Carolyn B. Heller