Get Ready for Another Party: The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games

I’m not sure if Vancouverites can survive another wild 17-day party like we just experienced the last two weeks during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.  But I certainly do believe that the paralympic athletes who will compete during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games here between March 12 – 21, deserve at least some of the accolades and celebration.

There will be some exciting performances during these Games which will have paralympic athletes from 44 countries participating. These are athletes with physical disabilities who have overcome adversity and have become champions in their chosen sports.  The Paralympic Games might be smaller than the Winter Olympics, but they even should have a large impact on Canadians, just as the Games did.

The torch relay has already begun from Ottawa, and although it won’t be as extensive as the Olympic Games torch relay, it will still cover the breadth of our country, with 600 torchbearers taking part.

Some of the Olympic sites will reopen during the Paralympics and lineups will be less than before.  The cauldron which was extinguished at the end of the 2010 Winter Olympics, will be reignited.  And so will our spirits, the organizers hope.  The selection of sports may be less than before, but the good news is, the tickets will be cheaper and easier to get.  the volume of tourists will also be smaller and there will be less volunteers.  There will be some road closures during the Paralympic Games including the Georgia Viaduct and the Dunsmuir Viaduct which will be closed briefly from noon to midnight on March 12 for the Paralymics opening ceremony.

What’s Open During the Paralympics?

Canada Pavilion Georgia and Beatty Streets March 12 – 21

Saskatchewan Pavilion  Whistler Golf course Clubhouse, Whistler March 17 -29

Manitoba Pavilion  Georgia and Beatty, Vancouver March 13,14,18,19,20,21

Canada’s Northern House 602 West Hastings (dates not determined)

LiveCity Downtown Georgia and Beatty, Vancouver March 12-14 and 18-21

Whistler Live! Whistler Village March 12-21

Whistler Medals Plaza Whistler March 13-18, March 21

Robson Square Plaza Robson and Howe, Vancouver  March 12/21 (including the Zip-line)

Lit Cauldron  Thurlow and Cordova, March 12 – 21

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak