Canada launched the one year countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics with celebrations, fireworks and cultural displays across the country.
"We are in the last lap, the final bell toll today," said John Furlong, chief executive of the Vancouver Organizing Committee. "It is also a reminder of the road ahead and all the work we need to do to get completed."
In the ski resort of Whistler, organizers held an outdoor ceremony where they unveiled the torch that will be used to carry the Olympic flame in the torch relay and the design of the uniforms the torch bearers will wear.
In Toronto there was outdoor skating and an ice dance demonstration by national figure skaters Andrew Poge and Kaitlyn Weaver. The pair finished fifth at the Four Continents Championships last week at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.
"It gave us chills to know that we were competing in the exact spot the Olympics will take place." Poge said on Friday."
And in the nation's capital of Ottawa, Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean unveiled the torch at a breakfast function before hosting hundreds of Canadian children for a party at her official residence Rideau Hall.
"We are celebrating the one year countdown now as hosts of the Games," Jean said. "We hoped to have a snow day for the kids but even with the rain we are going to be outside snowshoeing.
"The Olympics will show the talent in this country. This is an opportunity to strengthen the sports system in Canada."
Canada's native Indians also took part in the festivities Thursday as the Haida Gwaii band in the province of British Columbia held a fireworks display.
The torch uniforms and design were officially unveiled in the outdoor main square in the ski resort town of Whistler. About 300 people watched under a light snowfall as torch bearer Caleb Taylor carried the sleek-designed torch up onto the main stage in Whistler which will be the site of the alpine, sliding and ski jumping events.
"The torch represents a lot of things that are good about sports," Taylor said. "It brings the community together and will bring Canadians together."