Canadian flags are seen affixed to a house in the Vancouver suburb of Richmond prior to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games February 9, 2010. Canada will bask in the pride and accomplishment of hosting an Olympics for a third time when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games open on Friday but it is February 13 most Canadians have circled on their calendars. That day is expected to produce something never before seen in Canada -- one of their own standing on top of the Olympic podium on home snow or ice. The only country to have staged a Summer (1976 Montreal) and Winter (1988 Calgary) Olympics and not won a gold medal at either; Canada plans to end the national embarrassment in short order with an opening-day assault on the top of the podium. REUTERS/Chris Helgren (CANADA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS)