Bet’s blog: Friday saw the arrival of the Olympic Torch into Whistler and marked the countdown of a week to go until the Games. Betony Garner was there to report
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The flame arrives in Whistler
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Betony meets a torch bearer
For more photos from Betony's Olympic journey visit the event photo gallery
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After a quiet week on the slopes and a mellow atmosphere in the village, Friday could not have been different, with people piling into Whistler to see the arrival of the Olympic Torch. People lined the streets, with Canadian flags, banners and glow sticks everywhere!
The atmosphere was electric and it was amazing to see what having the Olympics come to Whistler and Vancouver means to a lot of locals. They are both excited about the Games and most notably proud to be Olympic hosts. Everyone seemed to have some red and white on them somewhere - even the dogs!
I watched the torch arrive from Skiers Plaza at the bottom of the slopes as Canadian skier Steve Poborski skied down the slopes to give it to young mountain biker and Whistler youngster Tyler Allison who Canadians seem to be branding as their next big Olympic hope.
Earlier the torch had passed through the Nordic Park and down the ski jumps at the Whistler Olympic sites. After the crowds had melted away I managed to even get a hold of one of the Olympic torches. That was after I had grabbed a big Canadian flag attached to a hockey stick. I am British really - promise!
With a lot of media coverage concentrating on the warm temperature, Whistlerites are keen to make sure the world knows that there is masses of snow in the resort and that the Alpine and Nordic ski events, as well as all the sliding sports, have nothing to worry about.
After spending the last week or so on the slopes I can 100% vouch for the fact there is plenty of snow! When I asked a couple of people what they thought about how Cypress Mountain would fair they seemed unfazed. With extra snow being brought in it does seem like the organisers will make it work.
So games time is nearly upon us. Now it’s all about training this week before the athletes focus on the main event and I hope Team GB arrive here from their training camp in Calgary on fighting form. Go Canada, sorry GB, Go!
Betony, Friday 5 February
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