WELCOMING MAPLE: Construction workers walk on the top of a temporary stage as one-half of an oversized Canadian flag covers the side of a building in Vancouver. The city has been transformed with businesses being decorated and Olympic banners and advertising going up.
INUKSHUK POINTS THE WAY: People walk past an inukshuk, the official symbol of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, at the Athletes' Village. An inukshuk is a man-made Inuit cultural symbol made of rocks and used as a point of reference.
CREEK BY THE VILLAGE: An RCMP boat patrols the waters of False Creek adjacent to the Athletes' Village for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in British Columbia.
WINTER COLLECTION: This photo released by Ralph Lauren shows the outfits that the United States Olympic team will wear at the Opening ceremonies of the games in Vancouver.
NOT ALL PLAY: Police officers from across Canada and volunteers attend a news conference by Olympic security officials showing what Olympic spectators can expect for security screening, during an exercise in Vancouver.
GLOBAL VILLAGE: This photo released by Tourism British Columbia shows costumed performers in the Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver's Chinatown.
SPORTING A BUDDHA: This photo released by Tourism British Columbia shows a golden Buddha statue at the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond, British Columbia.
IN NATURE'S LAP: The grand stands at the base of the moguls and aerial venues for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is seen on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver.
COMBING THE MOUNTAIN: A snow grooming machine works the moguls venue as a bale of hay is airlifted into position on Cypress Mountain. Warm weather and heavy rain have added challenges to the workers preparing the venue.
AERIAL FACELIFT: A helicopter moves a bale of hay in front of the mogul and aerial venues on Cypress Mountain. Workers preparing the venue are moving massive amounts of snow and using hay in some places in order to make sure that the venue is ready for the start of the Olympics.
IRIDESCENT OLYMPIC: A giant set of Olympic Rings are seen over Vancouver harbor with the city lights as a backdrop. The green rings reflect the environmental nature of the Vancouver Olympic Games.
TERRESTRIAL AURORA: B.C. Place, the site of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, appears along False Creek in Vancouver.
LIGHTING UP THE SKY: An RCMP boat patrols the waters of False Creek in front of the Athletes' Village for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
RUSSIAN DOME: Science World, left, home to Russia's Sochi 2014 House during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and the Athletes' Village for the Games, along False Creek in Vancouver, British Columbia.