2010 Olympics

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 1 (UPI) -- The 2010 Winter Olympics closed In Vancouver with perhaps what the host country considered the most important gold medal in Canadian hands.

Canada claimed the final gold of the Games, winning the men's hockey tournament with a Sidney Crosby goal in overtime that beat the United States 3-2.

It was the 14th gold for Canada in the last couple of weeks and the home-standing team amassing 26 medals overall. The United States, with nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze, won more medals (37) than any other country. Germany, which won 10 gold medals, had 30 medals total.

That made it a successful Games on the podium for the Canadians and the overall production of the 17-day Olympics was generally good.

Yes, there were issues -- the weather didn't cooperate (the Canadians can't be blamed for that), the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili on a practice run before the Games opened drew concerns about safety of the sled track and the torch problem at the Opening Ceremonies was a blemish on an otherwise impressive show -- but the athletes are the real show of the Olympics and they didn't disappoint.

There were true Olympian moments, but none as much as Joannie Rochette, who chose to honor her mother by skating in the women's singles competition two days after her mother died. One can hardly imagine the emotions Rochette fought through to perform. She did more than just skate. She won the bronze medal.

Whatever else the Vancouver 2010 Games are remembered for, that will be the standard competitors will be measured against when countries send teams to the Games. The next Winter Games begin Feb. 7, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.