And, despite the tragedy, there was a festive mood inside BC Place Stadium.

BBC: Winter Olympics start despite luge tragedy

Chicago (Soldier Field), Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium) and Vancouver (BC Place) will host the three other outdoor games next season.

WSJ: NHL, Winter Classic, Yankee Stadium: NHL Adding More Outdoor Games

Although games in one form or another had almost certainly been held earlier, tradition maintains that the first proper Olympics took place in 776 BC at Olympia in the Greek Peleponnese -- hence the competition's name.

CNN: The Ancient Olympics