Let the Games Begin!

Today is the opening of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. The first ever in Canada. And we are just as excited about it as we were one month ago for the opening of the Olympics. Canada is devoting record television broadcast time to the 2010 Paralympics.


IAWP Second Vice President Myra James has continued on with her duties at the 2010 Games. She has moved up to the Hilton Hotel in Whistler from Vancouver and has been busy preparing for the arrival of the Paralympic clients. Myra is working in a similar capacity as she did at the Marriott in Vancouver. The staff and volunteer base is smaller and the hours are not nearly as demanding but the energy level is definitely as high! The changes in staffing levels are primarily due to the reduction of participants in the Paralympics vs. Olympics.

Myra has advised me that most of the snow is gone in the Whistler Village (featured in the photo below) but there is still plenty of it in the mountains for the various Paralympic sports. Myra has been taking in the atmosphere in the village. She is only a short walk from the village where there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, and shopping. She is also enjoying a wonderful view of the mountains from her accommodations.





Myra has promised an update on a ziptrek tour she is planning to take before she begins her 5000 km journey home later this month. So, stay tuned for more of James Journey.


RCMP Corporal Laurie White, and 2000 IAWP Medal of Valour recipient, is also still involved in the games. In fact, her efforts are ramped up right now as she is the Paralympic Planner for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Laurie has also agreed to continue feeding me information to share with all of you.


A bit more about the Paralympics


Just as the 2010 Olympics kicked off with a Torch Run, so has the 2010 Paralympics. Myra provided this photo.

The Torch Run for the Paralympics began on March 3rd in Ottawa and concludes today in Vancouver with a 24 relay leg around the city.

There are 506 athletes taking part in the 2010 Paralympics.

There are 5 Paralympic sports: Ice Sledge Hockey, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, and Wheelchair Curling.

There are 64 Paralympic Medal Events.

I will be back with more on the 2010 in the coming days. Hope you check back to see what's new.

Good luck to everyone involved and stay safe!