Post Olympics Day 5 - Countdown to the Paralympics

It’s getting better… just like a bad break-up. Time heals all wounds, right?

I still miss the Olympics and they will always be one of the greatest experiences of my life, but I can’t live in the past. I must focus on the future; the future is the Paralympics!

I know that the Paralympics, (March 12-21) are much smaller in scale than the Olympics, but they still have so much to offer.

Tickets are still available for most events and they are a fraction of the Olympic prices. You can go to the opening ceremonies for $30! Other events include Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Curling, Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, and Cross-Country Skiing.

Paralympic banners have replaced their Olympic predecessors throughout the city.

Paralympic Banners on Robson Street
Paralympic Banners on Robson Street

Most of the venues have closed and are being disassembled, but there are still a few pavilions open during the Games. (Info courtesy Vancouver2010.com and Vancouver.com)

Pavilions

Canada Pavilion
Location: Live City Vancouver (Georgia & Beatty Street in downtown Vancouver)
Dates of Operation: March 12 to 21
Hours of Operation: 10am-10pm

Saskatchewan
Location: Whistler Golf Course Clubhouse, Whistler
Dates of Operation: March 17 to 20
Hours of Operation: 2pm-8pm

Manitoba
Location: Live City Vancouver (Georgia & Beatty Street in downtown Vancouver)
Dates of Operation: March 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21
Hours of Operation: 1pm-7pm

Canada’s Northern House
Location: 602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Dates of Operation: TBC
Hours of Operation: TBC

The Northwest Territories and Nunavut will showcase the unique art, tourism and cultures of their region.

LiveSites

Live City Downtown
Location: Georgia St. at Beatty St., Downtown Vancouver
Dates of Operation: March 12-14 and March 18-21
Hours of Operation: 1pm-9pm (4pm-8pm March 12 only)

Whistler Live!
Location: throughout Village:
1. Whistler Medals Plaza
2. Skiers Plaza
3. Village Square
4. Village Common – Whistler Live! Studio
Dates of Operation:
• March 12-21
• Whistler Medals Plaza: March 13-18 and March 21

Hours of Operation:
1. Whistler Medals Plaza: 6:30pm-8:45pm
2. Skiers Plaza: Performances throughout day; Fire and Ice performance 9pm-10:30pm
3. Village Square: 9am-11pm
4. Village Common - Whistler Live! Studio: 9am-11pm

Whistler Live! is a uniquely Whistler winter celebration of sport, culture and entertainment that will captivate, inspire and create lasting memories for residents, athletes and visitors.

Robson Square Plaza
Location: Robson Square, downtown Vancouver (Robson at Howe)
Dates of Operation: March 12-21
Hours of Operation: 10am-5pm (hours extended March 11th for the torch relay)

Activities at Robson Square Plaza include:
• GE Plaza open for public skating from 10am-TBC
• Main stage area with daily performances (musical and cultural acts)
• Interactive displays
• Zip line operational March 12-21

Cauldron – Jack Poole Plaza
• Cauldron will be re-lit on March 12th
• Viewing area (including roof top) will be open from March 12-21

Torch Relay
• March 11-12, 2010 will be a 24 hour event around Robson Square in downtown Vancouver. Current planning has this event running from approximately 2pm on March 11 through to 2pm on March 12. The torch will culminate at BC Place to light the cauldron as part of the Paralympic Opening
• Ceremony beginning at 6pm on March 12, 2010.

In the mean time, check out 2 more videos that I posted. The first one is when we won the semi-final game against Slovakia on February 26. Winning this game meant that we were going on to play for GOLD! The second is yet another video of the crowd when we won the GOLD medal in hockey. This was taken at the Molson Canadian Hockey House… So exciting!