Ottawa is marking the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games with a flag, a bell and a comfy seat to watch the action.
As the Opening Ceremony loomed across the Atlantic, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson helped raise the Olympic flag with British High Commissioner Andrew Pocock.
"We are looking forward immensely and with pride after seven years of hard work, wonderful venues and we're looking forward to a very decent Olympic games," Pocock said.
Pocock said he’s not completely abandoning his ties to Canada when it comes to cheering on the athletes.
"Canada (has been) one the great friends and allies of the United Kingdom through thick and thin for 150 years," he said.
Other fans in Ottawa said they have a narrower focus.
"Everybody knows Canada's going to do great this year and like they did in the winter, own the podium,” said Mark Chippa. “Everyone's rooting for the red and white."
“They put a lot of money into the facilities,” said Sam Wilkie. “Let’s hope it’s a good one.”
Far from kicking back to relax, Canada’s Paralympic athletes are still training hard for their games, which begin Aug. 29.
Ottawa police sergeant Dawna Christy is going to London as a referee for goalball, a sport using a ball with bells to help people who are visually impaired find it.
"The biggest difference in this game is that everyone is blindfolded,” Christy said.
“You can have people with some vision or no vision at all, so everyone's on the same playing field."
"It's a huge accomplishment. It's a huge honour,” said Amy Kneebone of her women’s goalball team making the Paralympics. “It's absolutely amazing."
Billions of people around the world will likely be echoing that last sentiment at some point during the next 17 days.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Stefanie Masotti
