March 3rd in Ottawa marks the start of the Paralympic Torch Relay that winds a glowing pathway to BC Place in downtown Vancouver for the lighting of the Paralympic cauldron on March 12th. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor-General of Canada, will declare the Games open.
Like the Olympics, the Paralympics hosts competitions at two sites: Vancouver and Whistler. Vancouver venues include the UBC Thunderbird Sports Centre and Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre; Whistler venues are Whistler Creekside and Whistler Paralympic Park.
Events include ice sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing. These five events will see six disability groups participate: amputee, cerebral pasly, intellectual disability, visually impaired, wheelchair and Les Autres for a physical disability not listed in the other groups.
While smaller than the Olympics, the Paralympics are a tremendous undertaking with 6,500 volunteers and 1,350 Paralympians from 40 countries. Tickets are readily available for competitions and sold at a more reasonable price than the Olympic Games. The Gold Medal games for Wheelchair Curling and Sledge Hockey at Vancouver and the March 21st Closing Ceremony at Whistler are sold-out.
History of the Paralympics
What started as an activity in 1948 to help injured veteran patients has developed into the top international competition for athletes living with a disability. In 1976, Sweden hosted the first Winter Paralympic Games. Vancouver hosts the 10th edition.
Not only will athletic records be broken, but the number of broadcasting hours and TV views will likely top the Torino 2006 Paralympics Winter Games.
Entertainment Events
Although many pavilions that hosted crowds during the Olympics will have disappeared before the Paralympics begin, certain venues will remain open. Popular sites include The Ziptrek Zipline, Vancouver Art Gallery and the Royal Canadian Mint. Smaller crowds and shorter line-ups can make for a more comfortable visit not only for individuals, but for families as well.
Vancouver Venues:
- Canada Pavilion: Georgia and Beatty Streets, March 12 to 14, and 18 to 21
- B.C. Pavilion: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St., March 12 to 21
- Robson Square Plaza: Robson and Howe, March 12 to 21
- CentrePlace Manitoba Pavilion: Georgia and Beatty, March 12,13 to14, 18 to 21
- Canada's Northern House: 602 West Hastings, Now to April 17
- LiveCity Downtown: Georgia and Beatty, March 12 to 14 and 18 to 21
- Pride House Vancouver: 1170 Bute St, March 12 to 21
- Olympic Cauldron: Thurlow and Cordova Streets, March 12 to 21
Whistler Venues:
- Whistler Live!: Whistler Village, March 12 to 21
- Atlantic Canada House: Longhorn, March 5 to 17
- Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre: 4585 Blackcomb Way, Now to March 21
- Whistler Live!: Whistler Village, March 12 to 21
- Pride House Whistler: 4299 Blackcomb Way, Now to March 21
- Saskatchewan Pavilion: Whistler Golf Course, March 17 to 20, Invite only
- Whistler Medals Plaza: March 13 to 21
Cultural Olympiad
Expect an eyeful when you the visit the arts and culture events known as the Cultural Olympiad. Check the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad Program Guide for this international billing.
Kathryn Hatashita-Lee - City life inspires stories and images for Kathryn Hatashita-Lee. Her first children's story was published in an anthology of Canadian ...
