Olympic torch starts for Vancouver 2010 day before chairman dies

CNN reported that the torch for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics was lit in Olympia, Greece on Thursday. It will travel across the world for almost four months to the site of the Games. The Olympic fire was created by the traditional way of igniting a fire by focusing sunlight on a mirror.

“The Olympic torch and flame are the symbols of the values and ideals which lie at the heart of the Olympic Games,” said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

Many Twitterers were touched by this event:

Mariabakas11 (Vancouver, Canada) emotional today to see the Olympic torch lit in Greece on it’s journey to Vancouver. Proud to be Greek and Canadian. 23 Oct 2009 from web

eleftheriag (Serres, Greece) Watching the passing of the Olympic torch ceremony for the 2010 Olympics. Everytime I watch the ceremony I get goosebumps. 22 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry

ufos_are_real (Niagara Falls, Canada) the olympic torch was lit in Greece .. making its way to Vancouver. can not wait. 23 Oct 2009 from web

One Twitter user @okietorchbearer posted excitement about the event along with this TwitPic. The caption of the TwitPic was, “The Olympic torch was lit in Athens yesterday. Let the Relay Begin!!!”

The Olympic torch was lit in Athens yesterday. Let the Relay Begin!!! @okietorchbearer

Others were excited by the international relay of the torch, which will include the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history across 27,900 miles of Canada for 106 days:

kmadolf (Undisclosed) The Olympic Torch is on its way. 12,000 people will carry. The countdown begins. 23 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

TCSBears (Port Hope, Ontario) Olympic Torch arrives to chapel this a.m. – faculty Jen Powles & 20 TCS students to run torch relay mid-December! More details to come… 23 Oct 2009 from web

Sea__Breeze (British Columbia, Canada) Olympic torch comes through Sidney next Friday #yyj 23 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry

OhBelleville (Belleville, Ontario) Do we know yet, who will be carrying the Olympic torch through Belleville on December 15th? 23 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

This official countdown to the Vancouver Games took place just one day before chairman of the Vancouver Olympic Committee Jack Poole died, according to The Vancouver Sun. Poole passed away early Friday, leaving his legacy of the Vancouver Games behind.

Many Twitterers, including the Canadian Olympic Team expressed their sadness:

CDNOlympicTeam Canadian Olympic Team mourns the passing of friend and leader, Jack Poole. … http://bit.ly/sVlD9 23 Oct 2009 from Facebook

robmackaydunn (Vancouver, Canada) Very sad to hear about the passing of Jack Poole. We’ve lost a great Canadian today. 23 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry

PR_Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) So sad Jack Poole didn’t get to see the 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies. Sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues. 23 Oct 2009 from HootSuite