With performances by KD Lang, Nelly Furtado, a snowboarder smashing through the Olympic rings and an army of Mounties, this could have been the most amazing/ridiculous opening ceremonies ever - and in fact, the event was watched by over 3.5 billion people worldwide. But the climax, which was supposed to have had Wayne Gretzky lighting a gigantic cauldron that would rise from beneath the stadium, was marred when the cauldron didn't actually, you know, rise from beneath the stadium. Eventually, three giant matchsticks appeared, but it was too late: Gretzky had already been traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
BS to Impress: Because of worries about the weather, this was the first opening ceremony held indoors. It was also the first opening ceremony where poutine was served.
