BEIJING - He sat there and he dreamed.
The chief executive officer for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver said he'll never forget being at the opening ceremonies in Beijing.
"You could not sit there and not dream," he told The Canadian Press in an interview early Saturday morning in Beijing.
"Your mind just races with all we could do and it is just so exciting for us."
With its sea of drummers, acrobats, fireworks and other technological marvels, Furlong said whether Vancouver will be able to top Beijing's opening Olympic gambit wasn't a question that should be asked.
Every Games is different and each pushes the limit of creativity and achievement, he said.
"Will we have a show like that? No. Will we have a show that's wholly Canadian? Of course it will and it will inspire the world," he said.
What hit home for him, Furlong said, was watching the children come into the stadium representing the youth of the world.
He said he thought back to when China was awarded the Games and their promise that it would bring sport to thousands of people.
"They delivered in a big way," he said.
Vancouver's team in charge of the opening ceremonies will certainly be scratching their heads with one simple question.
"How did they do that?," Furlong said of all the tricks Beijing organizers pulled during the show.
"But also, if they can do that, then I can do something as creative."
Planning for 2010 is well underway, said David Guscott, an executive vice-president with the organizing committee who is overseeing the opening and closing ceremonies.
"The things we're planning to do are on track and judging from what I've heard about the timing for Beijing and where they were at certain times, we're in good shape," he said.
"It's not going to be a mad rush at the end."
Watching the Canadian athletes march into the Beijing stadium made B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell proud.
"It reminds us that the next time our Olympic athletes take part in the opening ceremony, and the next time the drama of the Olympic Cauldron lighting stirs everyone's hearts as it did tonight, it will be at home in 2010," he said in a statement.
In the stands as Canada's official government representation at the ceremonies, Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson applauded Beijing's achievement.
"What a proud night for China and for all Canadians as we get ready to be the next host and share that same stage of honour," he said in a statement.
"Bravo, Beijing, on a night of memories for everyone here and watching at home. You have shown the world what can be done to celebrate the spirit of friendship and fair play."
