Despite a grueling schedule, between a heartbreaking loss at home last night and the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend set to begin tomorrow in Dallas, Steve Nash still has time for Olympic spirit.

Decked out from head-to-toe in his official torchbearer uniform (red mittens included), Nash was greeted by excited cheers as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics torch relay made its way along 49th Avenue in Vancouver this afternoon. As a native of British Columbia, being invited to partake in this historical moment was real honor for the two-time NBA MVP.

“I’m just going to try to enjoy every moment, really take in the energy and atmosphere of our home province and country hosting the Olympic Games,” Nash said after the Suns fell 101-108 to Portland on Wednesday night.

“To run the torch is an incredible honor, so I’m going to try to really enjoy that. Right now it seems difficult because we lost to enjoy anything, but I’m sure tomorrow morning I can be a big boy and stop crying about it and have a good day up in Vancouver.”

While Vancouver isn’t a hub for the NBA, Nash is famous within BC for the extensive work he’s done for local communities through The Steve Nash Foundation, encouraging opportunities for children in education, health and empowerment. With the Games set to officially kick off tomorrow evening with a top secret opening ceremony, it was very exciting for British Columbians to see one of their brightest shining stars make the trip home to be a part of the legacy.

In advance of the 2010 Olympic Games, Steve Nash and a number of other local celebrities lent their faces to a Tourism BC spot to promote the place they call home. Click here to check out the 90-second video.

[Photos © Keira-Anne Mellis]

You can follow Keira-Anne on Twitter and you can read her thoughts on life north of the border at her personal blog, Keira-Anne.com.