Following the longest national torch relay in Olympic history, the Olympic Cauldron was lit on February 12, 2010 marking the official opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Arriving from Athens, Greece, the Olympic Flame was proudly carried by 12,000 torchbearers on a 45,000 kilometre journey across the country, embracing Canadians in over 1,000 communities along the way in the excitement of the Games.
During the 2010 Opening Ceremony inside BC Place, the other Olympic Cauldron was lit first. It was kept a secret as to how and when this outdoor Olympic Cauldron would be lit later that evening. Downtown Vancouver was of course packed with celebrants that night (including the COs), all watching the Opening Ceremony on screens in restaurants, bars, and in the streets. Imagine our excitement when we saw NHL legend Wayne Gretzky in the back of a pickup truck holding an Olympic Torch, heading west on Georgia Street towards the Olympic Cauldron! Everyone spilled out into the streets, running over to Georgia Street to catch a glimpse of the Great One passing by. And then he carried the flame to the Olympic Cauldron and lit it up!
The Olympic Cauldron is relit for the start of every Olympic and Paralympic Games and occasionally for other special occasions. It doesn't happen too often, though, because it's pretty expensive to light — an estimated $6,400 for about four hours.
Logging Requirements
To claim this Virtual cache, include a photo in your log of yourself or something that identifies you with the Olympic Cauldron in the background to validate your find. Your face does not need to be visible. If you visit with a group, each member must submit a separate photo. Logs without the required photo will be deleted.
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Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.