The Paralympics

[whatnext]

Am I the only wondering why they hold the Paralympics after the Olympic Games? Doesn't it kind of make them seem like an afterthought? Considering the Paralympians work just as hard as their counterparts, wouldn't it be better to have them first, to build the excitement and try out some of the venues?

[LotusLand]

Maybe an after thought but there is still plenty of stuff going on. Here is a good guide produced by Vancity Buzz.
http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2010...nts-guide.html

[officedweller]

I think it's probably easier from a logistics perspective to scale down than scale up.
i.e. if you start off with a few street closures, etc., the public wouldn't adjust when you need to scale up.

It's a much smaller scale in terms of athletic events than the Olympics - thereare only two events in Vancouver - Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling. The rest are up at Whistler. Although the Opening Ceremonies are at BC Place, the Closing Ceremonies are up at Whistler too.

[CLC]

If I remember correct, it was during the 1988 Seoul Olympic games period, the Paralympic Games gained worldwide attention. Before that, very few of the world population paid attention to even the existence of such Paralympic games.
Since being "held together" with Olympics, the Paralympics games have gained lots of press coverage, including TV broadcast.

I don' think the Paralympians will care much if they have to compete before or after the Olympic Games.

[ozonemania]

Anyone going to any of the Paralympic events? I heard that the closing ceremonies are sold out, the hockey matches are sold out. I got a few tickets for the opening ceremonies (got it on a discount as a friend is volunteering for the Paralympics), but I have been told that the Opening is sold out except for some of the more expensive seats.

I'm really curious about what the Opening is going to be like. I fully expect it to be quite modest in comparison to the regular one (got to see that one too!), but I'm hopeful that it will be quality work nonetheless.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by ozonemania

Anyone going to any of the Paralympic events? I heard that the closing ceremonies are sold out, the hockey matches are sold out. I got a few tickets for the opening ceremonies (got it on a discount as a friend is volunteering for the Paralympics), but I have been told that the Opening is sold out except for some of the more expensive seats.

I'm really curious about what the Opening is going to be like. I fully expect it to be quite modest in comparison to the regular one (got to see that one too!), but I'm hopeful that it will be quality work nonetheless.

The Paralympic Opening and Closing will have 5,000 performers, almost as much as David Atkins' 4,500 performers for the Olympics.

[touraccuracy]

almost as much = more than?

i wouldn't mind going to an event... i looked into tickets already. i mostly just wanna see inside some of the venues for photos / don't want the olympics to end.

[Prometheus]

British Press: Worst Paralympics Ever.

Total Calamity.

[jlousa]

The Opening ceremonies will be the last event held at the domed BC Place, so there's a bonus incentive.

[nova9]

I'm going to all the Canada sledge hockey. Seriously at a group rate of $20 a ticket, it was a steal. Gotta dust off 2 weeks worth of dust off my Canadian flags - yeah, that's right flags, plural!

[officedweller]

The Province had a pic of the Paralympic Logo being placed over top of the Olympic Rings at the YVR sign.
Wonder whether the Coal Harbour sign will get a facelift too?

[sacrifice333]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The Province had a pic of the Paralympic Logo being placed over top of the Olympic Rings at the YVR sign.
Wonder whether the Coal Harbour righs will get a facelift too?

They will.

[Zassk]

Gold medal sledge hockey game has already sold out.

[Waders]

Just from CTV news announcement. The Paralympic opening ceremonies will be broadcast live on Friday Mar 12 from 6pm - 8pm.
It is great that CTV has changed the mind about only showing the Ceremony on Saturday.
Also the opening ceremonies can be viewed online at ParalympicSport.tv, the International Paralympic Committee’s official Internet channel at http://www.paralympicsport.tv/

[deasine]

I expected a lot more Paralympic coverage from CTV, so it's good that they changed it.

[ozonemania]

I hope so, but I haven't seen any news that confirms this. I've checked the CTV site and couldn't really find any info about broadcasting live.

Which led me to do searches on what other media outlets are doing to cover the Paralympics. Sad... pathetic.

Can't say that I'm really surprised tho. All the more reason to make sure the home crowd gives these bunch of athletes, their families, friends and staff from around the world the time of their lives!

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by mr.x

The Paralympic Opening and Closing will have 5,000 performers, almost as much as David Atkins' 4,500 performers for the Olympics.

So 5000 < 4500 now?

Its not about the number though. Will look forward to what this show entails.

[LotusLand]

Did anyone head down to Robson Square to see Luongo light the paralympic torch? I was surprised by how much fun people were having in the Vancouver down pour! Here is a link to some photos:
http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2010...ch-photos.html

I know many want to see another party on the streets, but without pedestrian corridors I doubt this will translate. The city should have enacted ped corridors at least FRI to Sunday

[CLC]

Originally Posted by LotusLand

I know many want to see another party on the streets, but without pedestrian corridors I doubt this will translate. The city should have enacted ped corridors at least FRI to Sunday

Much of the Robson, Granville, and streets near stadium are in fact ped corridors today. Huge lineup in VPL for Mint Pavilion.

[Waders]

CTV BC is now broadcasting the Opening Ceremony.
Apparently the live broadcast only happens for BC.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...ritishColumbia