Even with the Olympic games over, most of us are still feeling the rush of patriotism! Every time the Olympics come around, I always wish they lasted longer. I love watching the different sports and keeping up to date with who has the most medals. This year was an amazing record breaker for our Canadian athletes, and I am very proud to be Canadian 😀 (WHOO HOO!!).
But, the winter games aren’t over yet! This weekend, the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games begin! The torch lighting ceremony is today (Friday, March 12) as part of the Opening Ceremony at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Events will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia from March 12 to March 21, 2010.
The Paralympic Games started after WWII as a sporting event to help English soldiers in wheelchairs get moving again. However, over time the Games grew and “have [now] evolved into an elite international competition involving a broader range of athletes from around the world.” The first official Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability “were held after the 1960 Olympic Summer Games in Rome, Italy. The first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, in 1976. The Paralympic Games have taken place at the same venues as the Olympic Games since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Summer Games in South Korea and the Albertville 1992 Paralympic Winter Games in France.” (I grabbed these awesome facts from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic website).
This year, about 600 athletes will be competing in five different sports and 64 specified medal events.
The five sports included in the Games and their official symbols are:
Alpine skiing
Biathlon
Cross-country skiing
Wheelchair curling
Sledge hockey
For more information about the Games, check out the websites for the International Paralympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games!
I am going to be in Vancouver this weekend and might get to check out an event! I really want to see the sledge hockey!
Is there someone specific that you’re cheering for or an event that you’re looking forward to seeing? We want to know! Leave us a comment 😀 ♥