The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the tenth Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler. With a theme of "One Inspires Many," the Opening Ceremony featured over 5000 local performers. Fifteen-year-old snowboarder Zach Beaumont, who is an amputee, was the final torch bearer and lit the Games Cauldron. The 2 hours live ceremony was produced by Vancouver-based Patrick Roberge Productions Inc.
Australia has competed in every Winter Paralympics. In 1976, the first Games, Australia's sole competitor was Ron Finneran, but he was not an official entrant. In 1980, Kyrra Grunnsund and Peter Rickards became the first official competitors, in alpine and cross-country skiing. The number of Australian athletes increased to three, five, five and six at the next four games, respectively, and all of the athletes were alpine skiers. The participation decreased to four in 1998 and climbed back up to six in 2002. Australia won its first Winter Paralympic medals in 1992, and has medalled at every games since then. All of the medals have been won in alpine skiing.
At the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Australia sent ever of 11 competitors to compete against 42 other nations with a total of 502 competitors making these Paralympics the largest ever with only 39 countries competing at Torino in 2006. Of these other nations, 2010 was the first winter paralympics for Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Romania, Russian Federation, and Serbia. The delegation also consisted of 3 sighted guides and 17 support staff. This was the largest delegation Australia had sent to a Winter Paralympics. Australia has participated in every winter Paralympics. In 2010, Dominic Monypenny became the fourth Australian athlete to participate in both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, the others being Kyrra Grunnsund, Anthony Bonaccurso, and Michael Milton. In the lead-up to the 2010 winter Games, nine of the 11 Australian athletes had recorded top 10 finishes in Paralympic, world cup or world championship competition in their class.
Armenia will send a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It will be fielding a total of two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Andorra sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Argentina sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a total of two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Austria sent delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a total of nineteen athletes, in alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing.
Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a single athlete, in alpine skiing.
Chile sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a total of two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Finland will send a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It will be fielding a total of five athletes, in alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing.
Greece sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a total of two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Hungary sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It fielded a total of two athletes, both in alpine skiing.
Iceland sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The country thus made its return to the Winter Paralympics after a sixteen-year absence; its only prior participation had been in 1994.
Iran participated in the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Only one athlete represented Iran in the 2010 Paralympics in alpine skiing.
Serbia will send a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver. It will be fielding a single athlete, in alpine skiing.
Ukraine sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The country fielded a total of nineteen athletes in three of the Games' five sports: alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing.
The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially known as the X Paralympic Winter Games, were held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from March 12 to March 21, 2010. A total of 506 athletes from 44 nations participated in 64 events from five different sport disciplines.
Slovenia sent a delegation to compete at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It fielded a single athlete, in alpine skiing. It did not win a medal.
Romania competed at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, held between 7–16 March 2014. This was Romania's second appearance at a Winter Paralympic Games. The Romanian delegation consisted of one alpine skier, Laura Valeanu, who finished fifth in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom.
Canada competed at the 1992 Winter Paralympics in Tignes-Albertville, France from March 25 to April 1, 1992. Canada entered 19 athletes in two of the three disciplines at the Games; fifteen in Alpine skiing, and four in Nordic skiing.
