The Olympic clock, seen in this file photo, sits in front of the art gallery in downtown Vancouver. (CBC)

Busy organizers of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver may be wishing time would stand still with just over one month remaining until the opening ceremonies.

But, despite appearances, that wish did not come true on Monday evening.

A spokeswoman for the Vancouver organizing committee said the Olympic countdown clock in front of the city's art gallery suddenly went dark, just after 6 p.m. PT Monday.

Renee Smith-Valade said a major electrical upgrade in downtown Vancouver knocked out power to the clock.

She said the timepiece automatically recalibrated when power was restored.

The clock counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the start of the Games and, as of Tuesday morning, was showing 38 days and change.

The Games start Feb. 12.