2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

2010 Paralympic Winter Games
Vancouver, Canada
March 12 – 21, 2010

INTRODUCTION

On July 2, 2003, Vancouver, Canada was named Host City of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was incorporated on September 30, 2003.

2010 Paralympic Winter Games Quick Facts:
Number of Countries: 44

Number of Athletes: 502

Number of Media: 1 200

Number of Sports: 5

Total Medal Events: 64

Competition Venues: 4

Disability Groups: Amputee, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Injury, Visually Impaired and Les Autres.

Alpine Skiing Super Combined was added to the Paralympic Programme

Number of Viewers: 1.6 billion

2010 Emblem Launch

Canadian Team in Vancouver

Number of Athletes: 45

Placing: Third, tied with the Ukraine

Final Team Selection: February, 2010

Schedule of Events

Opening Ceremony: March 12, 2010
Alpine Skiing: March 13-16, 18-21, 2010
Biathlon: March 13, 17, 2010
Cross-Country Skiing: March 14-15, 18, 20-21, 2010
Ice Sledge Hockey: March 12-14, 16-20, 2010
Wheelchair Curling: March 13-20, 2010

Closing Ceremony: March 21, 2010

Paralympic Villages

Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village

The Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village site was located within the scenic Cheakamus Valley. Designed for 2 400 athletes and officials, the Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village was less than 20 minutes from all the Whistler competition venues. A short shuttle ride transported athletes to the heart of Whistler Village and the nightly medal ceremonies at the Whistler Celebration Site in the town's centre.

Sports Venues
Athletes attending the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games competed in Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling. All events took place in two major hubs: Vancouver and Whistler, BC.

Alpine Skiing
Events in Alpine Skiing were held on Whistler Mountain. The Whistler resort hosts more than two million guests each year and is ranked among the top ski resorts in North America. From peak to finish the elevation is 810 m and proximity to the Whistler Olympic Village is a mere 5 km. The Paralympic Alpine Skiing events took place on Franz’s Run.

Nordic Events
The Nordic sports of Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing were held in Callaghan Valley, 14 km from the Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village. All the Paralympic Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon events started and finished at the Olympic Cross-Country Stadium and used parts of the Olympic Cross-Country competition trails. Competition courses included 5 km course for the standing classes and a 3.75 km course for the sit-ski classes.

Ice Sledge Hockey
Sledge Hockey was held at the UBC Winter Sports Centre. This centre is located at the University of British Columbia approximately 13 km from the Paralympic Village. The arena seats 7 200 spectators. The arena was completed in the summer of 2008.

Wheelchair Curling
Wheelchair Curling was held at Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park. Nat Bailey is located in a lively Vancouver Community which is approximately 4 km from the Paralympic Village. This arena seats 6 250 spectators.