2010 Winter Paralympics torch relay

Last updated

IX Paralympic Winter Games
Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Emblem.svg
Host city Vancouver, Canada
Countries visitedCanada
Torch bearersMore than 600 approx.
Start dateMarch 3, 2010
End dateMarch 12, 2010
Torch designer Leo Obstbaum
BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Roberto Luongo at Robson Square on March 11, 2010. Paralympic torch relay 2010.jpg
BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Roberto Luongo at Robson Square on March 11, 2010.

The 2010 Winter Paralympics Torch Relay was a 10-day event leading up to the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver. It began on March 3, 2010, in Ottawa and concluded at the Games' opening ceremony on March 12. Held entirely within Canada, the host country, it has been described by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as "an important event to connect Canadians to the Games", by "demonstrating the fire inside each individual and how it inspires others". [1]

Contents

Route

The Paralympic Flame was lit at a ceremony in Ottawa, with the participation of torchbearers representing each province and territory of Canada. Setting out from Ottawa, the Torch was due to be carried through Quebec City on March 4, Toronto on March 5, Esquimalt and Victoria on March 6, Squamish on March 7, Whistler on March 8, Lytton and Hope on March 9, before spending the final three days in Vancouver. On March 10, it was scheduled to visit Riley Park and Maple Ridge, then the campus of the University of British Columbia on the following day. On March 12, after being borne through downtown Vancouver, the Flame was to be taken to BC Place Stadium for the Games' opening ceremony. [2]

Celebration Communities

The Organising Committee stated that "[t]his relay is distinct from typical relays as it will happen in and around the Celebration Communities". [1] A celebration ceremony will be organised at each stop of the relay, involving the community.

In Ottawa, the celebration was a Lighting Ceremony, during which "the local First Nations communities of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg" would light the Flame. The Torch would then travel to Parliament Hill. At the end of the day, it was to be extinguished, to be relit on March 4 by the local First Nations of its next stop. [3]

In Quebec City, celebrations were held on the campus of Laval University; in Toronto, on Nathan Phillips Square; and in Esquimalt, at the Archie Browning Sports Centre. The Flame was then to be taken to Victoria by water taxi and on an "Aboriginal traditional canoe", for celebrations at Ship Point (Victoria Inner Harbour). In Squamish, celebrations were slated to take place on Cleveland Avenue; in Whistler, at Whistler Village Square, after being carried, "on various modes of transport, such as skis and a snowboard", "to the peak of the Blackcomb Mountain and taken on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola to Whistler Mountain". In Lytton, celebrations "will take place on 4th street at Fraser", and in Hope, at Memorial Park, on Wallace Street. Finally, in Vancouver, they were organised to take place at Riley Park Community Centre, Spirit Square, the University of British Columbia and Robson Square. [2]

Torchbearers

The Flame was scheduled to be borne by "approximately 600 torchbearers" including "Canadians from all walks of life" as well as athletes. [4]

The first bearer of the torch was single-leg amputee marathon runner Rick Ball, triple world record holder. [4]

Other torchbearers:

Quebec City, March 4

Toronto, March 5

Victoria, March 6

Squamish, March 7

Whistler, March 8

Vancouver, Hillcrest and Riley Park, March 10

Vancouver, University of British Columbia, March 11

Vancouver, downtown, March 11 and 12

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paralympic Games</span> Major international sport event for people with disabilities

The Paralympic Games or Paralympics, also known as the Games of the Paralympiad, is a periodic series of international multisport events involving athletes with a range of disabilities. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which since the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, are held almost immediately following the respective Olympic Games. All Paralympic Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The Olympic flame is a symbol used in the Olympic movement. It is also a symbol of continuity between ancient and modern games. The Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece, several months before the Olympic Games. This ceremony starts the Olympic torch relay, which formally ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Through 2022, the flame would continue to burn in the cauldron for the duration of the Games, until it was extinguished during the Olympic closing ceremony. In 2024, electric lighting and mist were used to create a simulated flame for the Olympic cauldron, with the actual flame kept in a lantern exhibited at an adjacent location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Winter Olympics</span> Multi-sport event in Vancouver, Canada

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games and also known as Vancouver 2010, were an international winter multi-sport event held from February 12 to 28, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the surrounding suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University of British Columbia, and in the nearby resort town of Whistler. It was regarded by the Olympic Committee to be among the most successful Olympic games in history, in both attendance and coverage. Approximately 2,600 athletes from 82 nations participated in 86 events in fifteen disciplines. Both the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games were organized by the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), headed by John Furlong. The 2010 Winter Games were the third Olympics to be hosted by Canada, and the first to be held within the province of British Columbia. Canada had hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Winter Paralympics</span> Multi-parasport event in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada

The 2010 Winter Paralympics, or the tenth Paralympic Winter Games, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The opening ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler Medals Plaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Summer Paralympics</span> Multi-parasport event in Beijing, China

The 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, the 13th Summer Paralympic Games, took place in Beijing, China from September 6 to 17, 2008. As with the 2008 Summer Olympics, equestrian events were held in Hong Kong and sailing events in Qingdao. It was first time the new Paralympic logo featured in the Summer Paralympics since its rebranding after the 2004 Summer Paralympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Adams</span> Canadian Paralympic athlete

Jeffrey Adams is a Canadian lawyer, and a former Paralympian, a six-time world champion in wheelchair sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paralympic symbols</span>

The Paralympic symbols are the icons, flags, and symbols used by the International Paralympic Committee to promote the Paralympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Winter Olympics torch relay</span>

The 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Relay was a 106-day run, from October 30, 2009, until February 12, 2010, prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Plans for the relay were originally announced November 21, 2008, by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Communities were initially informed in June 2008, but the locations were not announced for "security reasons". Exact routes were later announced several weeks before the start of the torch relay.

Justin Hines is a Canadian singer-songwriter who was born in Newmarket, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Britain at the Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has participated in every summer and winter Paralympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada at the 2010 Winter Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Canada was the host country of the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver, the first time it had hosted the Winter Paralympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia at the 2010 Winter Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Russia sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. The country fielded thirty-two athletes in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and alpine skiing. Russia placed second in the final medal standings, though first in the total medal count, winning thirty-eight medals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada at the Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Canada has participated eleven times in the Summer Paralympic Games and in all Winter Paralympic Games. They first competed at the Summer Games in 1968 and the Winter Games in 1976.

The opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympics, or the X Paralympic Games were held on March 12, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm PST at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The opening ceremony's theme was "One Inspires Many", and featured over 5000 local performers. The 2 hour long ceremony was produced by Vancouver-based Patrick Roberge Productions Inc

The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympics took place on March 21, 2010, beginning at 7:30 pm PDT at the outdoor Whistler Medals Plaza in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay</span>

The 2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay ran from 22 to 29 August 2012, prior to the 2012 Summer Paralympics. The relay began with four flames kindled on the highest peaks of the four nations of the United Kingdom, which were then brought to their respective capital cities for special events honouring the upcoming Games. For the relay proper, the four national flames were united at a ceremony in Stoke Mandeville in preparation for a final 92-mile (148-kilometre) journey to London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia at the 2002 Winter Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

Australia competed at the 2002 Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States from 8 March to 19 March 2002. The Salt Lake Paralympics are the eighth such winter games, the first Winter Paralympics ever in North America and the first Winter Paralympics ever set up by an Olympic organizing committee. Although many of the Paralympic expenses were covered by dual planning with the Olympics, organizers still spent about $60 million on the Paralympics, including $5 million on the opening and closing ceremonies. The Salt Lake Games featured 92 events across four sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country, and ice sledge hockey. The 36 competing countries sent a total of 416 participants. Australia was represented by six male alpine skiers: Peter Boonaerts, Bart Bunting, Michael Milton, Scott Adams, Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, and Mark Drinnan. The medal haul was seven, consisting of six gold and one silver. Australia finished 8th overall in the gold and total medal count, making it the country's most successful Winter Games in terms of gold medals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyrra Grunnsund</span> Australian Paralympic skier and athlete

Kyrra Grunnsund is an Australian Paralympic skier and athlete who has represented his country at five Paralympics, four winter and one summer. He was the first Australian to compete at both the Summer and Winter Paralympics, moving from skiing to athletics in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Winter Olympics torch relay</span>

The 1988 Winter Olympics torch relay was run from November 15, 1987, to February 13, 1988, prior to the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics.

References

  1. 1 2 "2010 Paralympic Torch Relay" Archived 2010-03-02 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  2. 1 2 "2010 Paralympic Torch Relay: Daily Highlights" Archived 2010-03-05 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  3. "Lighting Ceremony" Archived 2010-03-06 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  4. 1 2 "Torchbearers" Archived 2010-03-06 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "First Torchbearers" Archived 2010-03-07 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  6. "March 4 - Quebec City" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  7. "March 5 - Toronto" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 2)
  8. 1 2 "March 6 - Esquimalt and Victoria" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  9. "March 8 - Whistler" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  10. 1 2 "March 9 - Lytton and Hope" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  11. 1 2 "March 10 - Vancouver (Riley Park) and Maple Ridge" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  12. "March 11 - Vancouver (UBC)" Archived 2010-03-08 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)
  13. "March 12 - 24-hour relay in Vancouver (downtown)" Archived 2010-03-06 at the Wayback Machine , Vancouver 2010 official website (viewed on March 3)