Getting ready for the Winter Olympics

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY: The hill to be used for the freestyle skiing competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games is shrouded in rain and mist.

GETTING READY: The Olympic rings sit on a barge in the Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, British Columbia.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: A worker puts up Olympic signs in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Workers put up Olympic banners in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

AUSSIE INPUT: Members of the First Nation community and hotel staff, including a restaurant chef (right), carry a traditional aboriginal canoe in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. The canoe will be part of the Aboriginal village set up in the hotel to showcase native culture during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

SECURITY BOOM: Large water booms are pulled into place around Olympic venues on the waterfront in Vancouver, British Columbia. The booms are to create a security perimeter for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

HOSTS' FLAG BEARER: Speedskater Clara Hughes holds a Canadian flag outside the Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia. Hughes was chosen as the flag bearer during the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

GAMES SYMBOL: People are framed in Olympic rings etched on a window in the downtown square at the Athletes' Village in Whistler, British Columbia. The village will house about 900 athletes competing in alpine and nordic events during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

GAMES SYMBOL: An Inuit stone landmark called an inukshuk stands at the entrance to the Olympic ski jumping venue in Whistler, British Columbia. The inukshuk is a symbol of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

ON ICE: People stand inside the Olympic Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. The site will be the venue for curling during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

EYE IN THE SKY: A balloon holding security monitoring equipment sits over the Athletes' Village in Whistler, British Columbia. About 900 athletes taking part in the alpine and nordic events during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be housed in the village.