The 2010 Winter Olympics have long since come to an end, but the competition amongst British Columbia municipalities to net decorated Games athletes for Canada Day is still heading for the finish line.

And while cities such as Vancouver and Surrey are fighting to secure their places on the podium, it appears the Resort Municipality of Whistler has claimed gold in the event.

Whistler, which hosted the alpine, nordic and sliding competitions during the Games, will have a dozen Olympic and Paralympic athletes on hand for Canada's 143rd birthday.

Chief among them will be Ashleigh McIvor, who won the gold medal in the women's 2010 Olympic ski-cross event, and Maelle Ricker, who claimed top prize in snowboard cross.

"We're re-creating a little bit of the feeling and nostalgia of the Games," said Jessica Delaney, spokeswoman for Whistler.

It isn't the only community hoping to incorporate the national sense of pride that was on display during the Games into its Canada Day festivities.

But Vancouver doesn't have quite the star-studded lineup of its Olympic co-host. In fact, Vancouver's two featured athletes competed in the Summer Games -- Anna Rice in badminton, Anna-Marie de Zwager in rowing.

So the city is instead turning to the biggest Games star of all -- the 10-metre high Olympic and Paralympic cauldron.

The four-armed cauldron, which sits along the Vancouver waterfront and drew thousands of spectators during the Games, will be re-lit Canada Day for the first time since the Paralympics wrapped up in March.

Vancouver event organizers are also inviting residents to show up for the Canada Day festivities wearing their red Olympic mittens, regardless of the temperature.

"I think it's a great opportunity for Canada to celebrate Canadian athletes and accomplishments, whether it's Summer Olympians or Winter Olympians," said Brett Calder, spokeswoman for Canada Place Corp., which is running the Vancouver event.

Canada Place will also hand out a guide it distributed during the Olympics on how to be an authentic Canadian.

The satirical eight-page booklet explains how to tell your zee's from your zed's, and what to do if a Canada goose attacks.

The city of Surrey didn't play host to any sporting events during the Games, though it did house an Olympic celebration site.

Those attending its Canada Day event on Thursday will have the chance to meet Olympic gold medal speed skater Denny Morrison.

But the Olympic-themed Canada Day events don't start and stop in B.C.

In Toronto, two-time Olympic gold medal winning hockey player Vicky Sunohara and four-time medallist Kristina Groves will take part in an event that aims to highlight the importance or physical activity in children.

They'll be joined by Charles and Francois Hamelin, the speed skating brothers who also claimed gold in Vancouver.

Olympic figure skater Joannie Rochette, who won an emotional bronze medal after the sudden death of her mother, will appear at an event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Last year's Vancouver event drew about 175,000 people.

Calder said organizers believe they can better that mark this time around, as Canadians remember how they came together during the Games to wave flags, sing the anthem, and high five total strangers.

"People want to come out, they want to celebrate together and be proud to be Canadian," she said.

Whistler's 2009 Canada Day event drew between 3,000 and 5,000 people. The resort municipality also expects a higher turnout this time around.

The other Olympic and Paralympic athletes attending the Whistler event are Davey Barr, Lindsay Debou, Robbie Dixon, Rob Fagan, Matt Hallat, Mike Janyk, Justin Lamoureux, Tyler Mosher, Julia Murray and Morgan Perrin.