Celebration brings Olympic enthusiasm to Vancouver's Chinatown

Thousands of people flocked to Vancouver's Chinatown over the weekend to celebrate the Beijing Olympics and picture what the host city of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games will be offering in less than two years.

A procession of traditional Chinese dragon dancers and drummers kicked off the two-day event, followed by an array of performances by local and First Nations musicians.

A giant outdoor screen was set up, featuring Olympic coverage and live interviews with B.C. athletes from Beijing, for the Saturday afternoon party.

Many spectators who marvelled at the broadcast of highlights of the Beijing opening ceremonies said the Vancouver 2010 Games are just around the corner.

"I have been a supporter of the Olympics in Vancouver forever. I think it's fantastic. I absolutely can hardly wait," said Marianne Dodd, a spectator at Saturday's event.

"[But] it makes me wonder how we can do what they did in only two years. Well, it's only a year and a half now, isn't it?" she said.

Victor Wong, a Vancouver resident, said he's worried for those on the periphery of the Winter Olympics.

"What's happening to all the people who live their lives in the periphery, who aren't part of the spectacle? Where do they go?" Wong asked.

"What happens to those people?" he said.

The festivities continued until 6 p.m. Sunday.