VANCOUVER/WHISTLER (NEWS1130) - There's no reason to put those red Olympic mittens away yet, with the Paralympic Games set to start at the end of next week in both Vancouver and Whistler. The party planning is well underway in Whistler with artists lining up
to perform at the Whistler Paralympic Games Victory Ceremonies.
While the Paralympics probably won't bring the crush of people seen during the Olympics, you can expect the same party atmosphere when these Games kick off with the Opening Ceremony on March 12th at BC Place Stadium. The Paralympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony on March 21 will also take place at the Whistler Medal Plaza.
Canada's Paralympic Ambassador is former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, who says now is the time to take a deep breath and get ready for our country's amazing Paralympic athletes to go into action. "We've got one more period to go. We got the Zamboni on the ice and everybody can take a break and get a hot dog. But, hey! We've got 64 good medals possibly coming up."
Sullivan says each one of these competitors has an inspiring story. "All of these Paralympic athletes have endured some very traumatic injuries or disabilities and they've come back over them. They've been able to excel in their sport."
There are six Victory Celebration concerts between March 13th and March 18th in Whistler. The concerts feature acts like Kathleen Edwards, The Weakerthans and The Trews, and are free to the public. The first 5,000 people lined up at the Whistler Medal Plaza each night will get in. For more information, visit www.vancouver2010.com.