It was representing an inukshuk - native eskimo culture that is about as far from Vancouver as Mexio is.
Culturally it would have made as much sense to have an easer island statue.
There is Cleopatra's needle in the centre of London - but it wouldn't make sense to have the pyramids and Sphinx as the symbol for London 2012.
The second link says you are (at least partly) wrong.
They also appear in national parks cause hikers/campers think that their fun to make.