Vancouver 2010 Games - Closing Ceremony Pokes Fun, Sailing Vessel Transports Flag To Russia

Vancouver 2010 head John Furlong said Friday the Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games will "poke a bit of fun at ourselves". He added, "it will be Canada's way of saying goodbye and thank you. You will probably come away from the ceremonies knowing a bit more about us than you did if you're not from Canada".

Furlong added that Vancouver organizers haven't changed the Games' finale despite the fact they were criticized for the lack of French and ethnic content at the Opening Ceremony. Furlong said just in case anyone misunderstood, "the country came together to deliver it---including the province of Quebec".

He said the show will "bust a few Canadian myths" and feature some "amazing" Canadian talent. Organizers are keeping the names of the performers at the Closing Ceremony a closely guarded secret.

Furlong said, "it's likely at the end of the show--especially if you're not Canadian--that you will come face to face with people that you might have thought were from somewhere else".

Furlong said there are rumours that U.S. President Barack Obama may be there but he added that nobody on his committee has been able to confirm it.

Meanwhile following the flag handover to Russia for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, it will be brought by the Russian sailing vessel Kruzenshtern to Mexico, from where it will be carried by an Aeorflot plane to Russia, said Russian Vice Premier Dmitry Kozak Friday.

Itar-Tass reports the Kruzenshtern crew will bring the flag to the Mexican port of Acapulco, then a Russian embassy vehicle will carry the flag with accompanying Russian Olympic Committee representatives to Mexico City, from where an Aeroflot plane will carry it to Russian territory.

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