The Vancouver Winter Olympics, marred by early tragedy but destined ultimately to be remembered as a Games embraced by its hosts like few before them, drew to a close amid an unprecedented, country-wide party last night.

IRELAND’S Chef de Mission, Siobhan Hoey has expressed concern over the venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Canada’s long wait for a home Olympic gold medal is over after freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau claimed victory in the men’s moguls.

Winter Olympic officials considered abandoning the Vancouver luge competition following the death of Georgian competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili in training.

International Luge Federation officials say their Olympic competition will go ahead as planned after local coroners completed their on-track investigations into the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili.