With only 11 days left until the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the airspace above the host city Vancouver has been largely sealed off.

Only the security services and the armed forces are being permitted to fly within 40-kilometre radius of the ski resort of Whistler, the surrounding villages and the complexes where the Olympic athletes will be staying.

Around 2500 athletes will participate in the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, under the watchful eye of 17,000 soldiers, police officers and security staff.