After losing control of his sled during a practice, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, was pronounced dead just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. His death showed the dedication of a once diligent athlete. Even after the news broke, his Georgian teammates persisted toward their goal in competition.

Team USA showed no mercy in the highly competitive games, and brought home a total of 37 medals, nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze. Among the successful athletes, Apolo Anton Ohno became the most decorated U.S. winter Olympian with seven career medals. From the past three winter Olympics, Ohno has accumulated two gold, two silver and four bronze medals, surpassing the famous Bonnie Blair.

Canadian skater, Joannie Rochette put aside the pain from the unexpected death of her mother by continuing to compete.

The gold medal obtained by Alexandre Bilodeau of Montreal, Quebec, in the men’s moguls skiing competition was the first ever awarded to a Canadian athlete on home soil. His triumphant win on Cyprus Mountain was only the beginning of the 13 other gold medals, seven silver and five bronze Canada would acquire.

For host country Canada, the victory over the United States in the final hockey game proved monumental.