One year after Vancouver was thrust onto the world stage for the winter Olympics, some Canadians are pondering what effects remain from a surge in patriotic pride.
With an international reputation for being demure, many were shocked when Canada had its best-ever Olympic showing, taking home 26 medals. Fourteen of them were gold, which set a new record for first-place finishes garnered by a host country.
"We were inspired to make Canada proud," said gold-medal speed skater Denny Morrison of what he believes propelled the 17 days of Olympic glory.
And if retail trends were any indication, athletes did just that. For weeks after the international competition ended, stores couldn't stock their shelves fast enough with red and white gear; Canadians were desperate to showcase their love of country.
In the eyes of Edmonton-native Jennifer Laraway, who was in the stands for the opening ceremonies, the country's leader played a big role in boosting nationalism.
"Prime minister Harper addressed everyone and said not to apologize for being proud of our country," she said, adding she has no regrets about paying $1,200 for her seat seven or eight rows up from the action. "That really set the tone for the Olympics."
For many who worked at the Games, the richest part of the experience was seeing Canadian identity seep out during times of celebration.
CTV Edmonton News photographer Barry Fontaine remembers one particular moment when he was escorting skeleton racer Jon Montgomery to the interview set after the Calgarian secured a gold-medal finish.
A woman thrust a pitcher of beer at the Olympic champion and Montgomery didn't miss a beat.
"I got him swigging the jug of beer," said Fontaine. "We had two cameras… it was one of those moments – could it be more typically Canadian?"
While Olympic historians are still unsure about the 2010 Game's long-term legacy, some who witnessed the swell in national euphoria firsthand believe patriotism was strengthened during the event and will remains strong.
"That pride is still felt but we go back our quiet way of expressing it as Canadians," said Fontaine, before adding a caveat. "But there was nothing quiet about Vancouver 2010."
With Files from Kevin Armstrong
