VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Canada has regained its Olympic spirit as the 2010 Paralympic Games is set to start on Friday night at Vancouver’s BC Place.
Earlier on March 3, the first Canadian Paralympic Torch Relay was launched in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, by 13 torchbearers, one from each province and territory. Six hundred torchbearers are to carry the flame through 11 communities, gradually getting closer and closer to BC Place to light the Paralympic Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.
“This flame highlights the courage and determination of the Paralympic athletes who have been training long and hard and are ready to shine at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“The people of Canada are proud that for the first time in our history, we are hosting the Paralympic Winter Games.”
The Games has attracted 1350 athletes and team officials from 44 countries. They will compete in sledge hockey and wheelchair curling in Vancouver, as well as cross-country skiing, biathlon, and alpine skiing in Whistler.
The Opening Ceremony is set to start at 6 p.m. local time (9 p.m. EST) on Friday, launching the games that will last until March 21.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who opened the Olympic Games, will also open the Paralympic Games at the Opening Ceremony. The night will feature more than 4,000 volunteer performers, including dancers, singers, acrobats, athletes, and musicians.
Earlier on March 3, the first Canadian Paralympic Torch Relay was launched in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, by 13 torchbearers, one from each province and territory. Six hundred torchbearers are to carry the flame through 11 communities, gradually getting closer and closer to BC Place to light the Paralympic Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony.
“This flame highlights the courage and determination of the Paralympic athletes who have been training long and hard and are ready to shine at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“The people of Canada are proud that for the first time in our history, we are hosting the Paralympic Winter Games.”
The Games has attracted 1350 athletes and team officials from 44 countries. They will compete in sledge hockey and wheelchair curling in Vancouver, as well as cross-country skiing, biathlon, and alpine skiing in Whistler.
The Opening Ceremony is set to start at 6 p.m. local time (9 p.m. EST) on Friday, launching the games that will last until March 21.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who opened the Olympic Games, will also open the Paralympic Games at the Opening Ceremony. The night will feature more than 4,000 volunteer performers, including dancers, singers, acrobats, athletes, and musicians.
During the games, the Whistler Medals Plaza, an amphitheater, will host the nightly victory ceremonies and the closing ceremony on March 21.
Tickets for all Paralympic events are available at www.vancouver2010.com. Tickets for the Opening Ceremony range in price from $30 to $175 (US$29 to $171), while individual ticket prices to sport events start at $15. More than 70 percent of all individual tickets are priced at $20 or less.
Group ticket prices are $10 per person for most sport events for groups of at least 20.
Tickets for all Paralympic events are available at www.vancouver2010.com. Tickets for the Opening Ceremony range in price from $30 to $175 (US$29 to $171), while individual ticket prices to sport events start at $15. More than 70 percent of all individual tickets are priced at $20 or less.
Group ticket prices are $10 per person for most sport events for groups of at least 20.
