VANCOUVER – Ahead of the Vancouver Games, the  Canadian Olympic Committee launched the ambitious “Own the Podium” program with the explicit goal to “place first in the total medal count at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

Even though the Canadian government and corporate sponsors spent a record 2 million over four years on training through the program, as of Friday afternoon, the Canadians were far short of their goal to win the most medals in Vancouver – the United States had 32 medals, with Canada coming in fourth place with 18 medals.

Tony Gentile / Reuters

Gold medalists Canada’s Kaillie Humphries, left, and Heather Moyse, right, celebrate after winning the women’s bobsleigh on Feb. 24.

But despite all the money aimed at athletes of both genders, the women may own the podium after all. So far, the Canadian women have accounted for nearly 80 percent of the national medal haul. 

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VANCOUVER – With the world in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics, many countries are showcasing their culture, cuisine, art and music with hospitality houses.

But defining “hospitality” is another matter. Some houses are open only to athletes and sponsors. Others are open to citizens visiting the games. Others are open to the public – sometimes for a price – and are an attempt to encourage tourism. Still others are basically nightclubs open to anyone willing to wait in line and hand over a few toonies ( coins) or loonies ( coins).

VIDEO: Olympic houses open doors to international cultures

The Irish House is open to anyone willing to stand in line and pay to get in. It’s essentially a frat party under a massive white tent big enough to accommodate hundreds of revelers and a live band. Guinness is on tap, but it doesn’t come cheap at about per glass.

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VANCOUVER – Canadian Robin Kluczynski, a 59-year-old ex-firefighter, said he’s in good hands.

“I’m kind of looking forward to getting it done,” said Kluczynski as we walked into his hospital room.

After two heart attacks, he’s having quadruple-bypass surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

And, like every Canadian, his health insurance is fully covered.

“Could you have afforded this without insurance?” I asked him.

“Absolutely not. It would have wiped out my life’s savings, for sure,” said Kluczynski.

VIDEO: Health care, the Canadian way

Canadians say they’re proud of their 50-year-old experiment in universal health care….(read more)

VANCOUVER – Who knew ice could be transformed into something so colorful – never mind bold and beautiful?
 
Gordon Halloran, the creator of an art form called “Paintings Below Zero” has mounted a massive frozen watercolor at one of the celebration sites for the 2010 Winter Games.

Halloran calls his ice-covered canvas “The Ice Gate,” and it’s certainly an eye-catcher.

VIDEO: NBC’s Ron Mott reports on Vancouver’s ‘Paintings Below Zero’

Enclosed in a special box that doesn’t allow condensation to fog up the glass, the ice sculpture stretches 100 feet long and almost 12 feet high. The colorful display grabs ticket-holders attention on their way to the long track speed skating at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

Some, like local Canadian teenager Alannah Lipsey, don’t know what to make of it. “What is it? A painting or a sculpture? I guess you have to look at it for awhile to figure it out.”
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By Dawna Friesen, NBC News Correspondent

VANCOUVER – Women’s bobsledding only became an Olympic sport in 2002, with women competing for the first time at the Salt Lake City Olympics. Shauna Rohbock, 32, is a veteran of those games, but she still has to fight for respect in her sport, which she calls “chauvinistic.” NBC’s Dawna Friesen reports.

VIDEO: Women’s bobsledder fights for speed and respect…(read more)