The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics has kicked off for a 17-day run with the slogan "With Glowing Hearts."

The opening ceremony for the 21st Winter Games was held late Friday in the domed B.C. Place stadium.

Some two-thousand-633 athletes from 82 countries will compete in 15 events for 86 gold medals.

South Korea has sent a record 83 athletes with hopes to nab more than five gold medals to finish in the top ten for the second consecutive time.

The nation has placed high hopes on winning gold medals in not only short track but figure skating and speed skating events.

Other events that South Korea will compete in include bobsleigh, skeleton and luge as well as snowboarding and freestyle skiing.