Olympic flame heats up Vancouver

TheOlympictorch relayended thepenultimate day of its journey within the city of Vancouver for the first time Thursday, less than 24 hoursbefore Friday's opening ceremonies extravaganza.

Singers Jann Arden, Michael Bubl, U.S. television anchor Matt Lauer, basketball star Steve Nashand Vancouver Canuck hockey legend Trevor Linden were among the torchbearers Thursday.

The finalperson to carry the flamewas community worker Ken Lyotier, who lit a cauldron at the city's Yaletown Live Site, where Games highlights will play on a giant video screen aslive musical acts entertain revelers throughout the two weeks of the Olympics.

Lyotier is the founder of United We Can, a non-profit organization that has helped street people in Vancouver since 1995 by providing depots where they can turn in unlimited numbers of refundable bottles and cans.

Friday's torchbearers include California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Walter Gretzky, father of hockey's Wayne Gretzky.

Climax Friday night

The flamefinishesits 45,000-kilometre journey Friday night at BC Placestadium whenit will be used to light a giant cauldron, marking the climax of the opening ceremonies and the official start of the Games.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says everything is in place for the Games to begin.

"There is incredible energy in the city right now. There's been a real transformation in that energy from the very challenging preparation years of preparation that wentinto theseGames," said Robertson on Thursday morning.

"We're now shifting as the athletes arriveand as thetorch makes its way into Vancouver into a very, very positive, very excited and exhilarating and vibrantcity right now as the Games approach."

"We are ready to host the greatest Games ever and hopefully the goldest Games ever for Canadaon home soil," he said.

"Our No. 1 goal is to be exceptional hosts and to ensure that the athletes have a fantastic experience here, and that all the visitors who come to Vancouver and the billions who watch these Games on TV are impressed, are inspired and are intrigued by what takes place here in Vancouver," he said.

On Thursday morning, the torch resumed its 106-day journey in the northeastern Metro Vancouver community of Belcarra. During the day, it was set totravel through Anmore, Coquitlam, Burnaby, the Musqueam Reserve and the University of British Columbia before arriving in Yaletown.

The Great One mute about role

Meanwhile, the Olympic buzz around Vancouver continues to grow as more and more international athletes are spotted on the streets in their team outfits and dozens of international,provincial and corporate pavilions prepare to welcome the growing crowds.

Anticipationabout who will carry the torch into the opening ceremonies is reaching fever pitch, with much speculation that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky will light the cauldron in BC Place.

The Great One was in Vancouver on Wednesday, but avoided taking any questions from reporters at his only media event. Gretzky is no stranger to Olympic events he's been involved in the last three Winter Games, including winning gold at Salt Lake City as the executive director of the men's hockey team.

On Thursday night, Prime Minister Steven Harper, Gov. Gen. Michalle Jean and dozens of high-profile athletes officially welcomed the Canadian team to the Olympic Village on the shore of False Creek.

The Canadian flag was hoisted at the ceremony, which was hosted by Canadian actress Sandra Oh, while the honorary mayors of the Olympic village, Rick Hansen and former rower Tricia Smith, were also on hand.