2010 Winter Paralympics

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X Paralympic Winter Games

Nations participating -
Athletes participating -
Events 20 in 5 disciplines in 4 sports
Opening ceremony March 12
Closing ceremony March 21
Stadium BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
See also: 2010 Winter Olympics

The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially known as the X Paralympic Winter Games, will be celebrated in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia between March 12 to March 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony will take place in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia.

2010 will be the second time Canada has hosted the Paralympics, including the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto.

Vancouver sees the 2010 games (Olympics and Paralympics) as a chance to build on its history as a world-class city that began in 1986 with the World's Fair.

On June 7, 2006, the Prince Edward, as a member of the Canadian Royal Family, and patron of the British Paralympic Association, raised the flag of the Paralympic Games outside Vancouver City Hall.[1]

Contents

[edit] Events

Five sports will be on the Games program: Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Wheelchair Curling, and Sledge Hockey.

[edit] Venues

Like the 2010 Winter Olympics, the sporting events during the paralympics will be shared between Vancouver and Whistler.

[edit] Whistler

[edit] Vancouver

[edit] Mascot

The mascot, Sumi, an animal guardian spirit with the wings of the Thunderbird and legs of a black bear, is the first time the Olympic and Paralympic mascots were introduced at the same time.

[edit] Paralympic Coins

To commemorate the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, 15 coins are being issued for general circulation. Two of the circulation coins will honour Paralympic sports. The two sports being featured include Paralympic Curling (released on July 11, 2007) and Ice Sledge Hockey (to be released on June 17, 2009). With regards to the circulation coins, one of the novelties is that D.G. Regina will be removed from the Queen's effigy, making the 25-cent coins are the first "godless circulating coins" since the 1911 issue of King George V. [2]

Specifications

Years Weight Diameter/Shape Composition
2007–present 4.4 g 23.88 mm 94.0% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel plating

Details

Date of Issue Sport Artist Mintage
July 11, 2007 Wheelchair curling Glen Green 22,000,000
June 17, 2009 Sledge hockey TBD TBD

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Joyce, Greg; Canadian Press; Vancouver Sun: Edward, Sophie raise Paralympics flag, Royal couple rings in 2010 Winter Olympics outside city hall; June 8, 2006
  2. ^ “14 circulating coins included in 2010 Olympic program”, Bret Evans, Canadian Coin News, January 23 to February 5, 2007 issue of Canadian Coin News