The eyes of the world turned to Vancouver Sunday at the close of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Led by snow explorers with a white horse symbolizing victory, the ceremony began in grand style at Stadio Olimpico.



Canadian flag bearer Cindy Klassen
(AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

At the end of the extravaganza, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge officially closed the games by inviting the world to B.C.

"And I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now, in Vancouver, to celebrate the 21st Olympic Winter Games," he said.

It was then time for Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan to receive the Olympic flag from Rogge, who placed it in Sullivan's motorized wheelchair.

It was a moment Sullivan had worried about, but in the end, everything went according to plan. The crowd cheered as he accepted the flag, the first time a quadriplegic has ever accepted it.

The flag waved in the wind as Sullivan moved his wheelchair across the stage. It was a historic and emotional moment. Sullivan has said the evening was an opportunity to raise awareness about disabilities.

Sullivan will bring the Olympic flag to Vancouver Monday night when he returns from Turin with other members of the 2010 entourage.

A flag-raising ceremony at Vancouver City Hall is scheduled for noon Tuesday. The flag will fly above the city until the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Games.

In Vancouver, hundreds turned out to celebrate at Library Square, a scene echoed in Whistler. There were smaller celebrations in Richmond and West Vancouver.

Fifteen-year-old BC Biathlon team member Rebecca Ronaghan was one of the many young athletes on hand to see Vancouver step into the international spotlight.

"I'm really inspired to start training and I really hope to get in in 2010 or 2014," Ronaghan said.

Highway protests continue

However, not everyone was celebrating.

Protesters opposed to plans to upgrade the Sea-to-Sky Highway draped banners from an overpass near Horseshoe Bay.

The group opposes the plan to build an overland route through Eagleridge Bluffs. They say blasting a bypass through the area will result in environmental damage.

Dennis Perry of Save Eagleridge Bluffs says the spotlight on Vancouver has brought the issue to the attention of the international media.

"We are here today to prevent the overland highway and to get a better option. This is an international issue – if it wasn't one before, it sure is one today," Perry said.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon says with just four years to go until 2010 he has no intention of altering the Olympic construction schedule.

Best Winter Games for Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper heaped praise on Canadian Olympians Sunday, saying they did their country proud at the Torino Games.

"Congratulations to Team Canada in Turin," Harper said in a statement.

"Throughout the Games, you have proudly displayed our national colours and have been outstanding ambassadors for both sports and our country, through your dignity, respect and dedication.

"Over the past 17 days, millions of Canadians of all ages have closely followed your competitions and you have made us proud, delivering world-class performances."

Canadian athletes combined to win 24 medals at the Torino Games – Canada's best-ever medal haul. Canada's previous best total was 17 medals. That plateau was reached in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Games.

Canadian Olympic officials are hoping to do even better in 2010. The goal is to win 35 medals and finish atop the medal standings.