David Atkins is the executive producer of the 2010 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.http://www.meetingscanada.com/public/content.jsf?id=/planning-olympic-opening-and-closing-ceremonies-11939. Mr.Atkins was previously the producer of the Summer Olympics ceremonies in Sydney in 2000.

The BC place stadium will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies for the winter Olympics and the opening ceremony for the Paralympic games. http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/peeking-behind-the-scenes-of-the-olympic-opening-and-closing-ceremonies_39538Ir.html 4000 volunteers will be participating in the opening ceremony. The details about the show have been kept secret up the event. Atkins used horses to create Olympic rings during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and he brought elephants for the Asian Games in Doha. Atkins budget is $40 million for the opening and closing ceremonies of 2010 Winter Olympics. http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/02/11/winning-form/ It is reported that both the ceremonies will be filled with A-list singers, dancers, and flashy visuals replete with Canadian references.http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/spectacle+welcome+world/2536259/story.html. There will be First nations performers and a broad spectrum of Canadian musical expression. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Opening+ceremony+sure/2548831/story.html. This show is reported to be the biggest live TV production in Canadian history. There are reports that one performer was injured during the rehearsals. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2010/02/05/12764876.html

There are rumors that Canadian musicians, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan and Michael Buble will be among the performers. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2010/02/10/12830211-qmi.html

David Atkins was appointed in 2007 as the executive producer of the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics. http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/peeking-behind-the-scenes-of-the-olympic-opening-and-closing-ceremonies_39538Ir.html. Jean Grand-Maitre will be doing the Choreography for both the ceremonies. http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/spectacle+welcome+world/2536259/story.html

The pressure is quite extraordinary on every member of the team. These are once-only events. It’s a highly-charged experience with years of work coming down to one night, one time, and one place. David Atkins http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/peeking-behind-the-scenes-of-the-olympic-opening-and-closing-ceremonies_39538Ir.html