Sport competitions and Whistler Live! events keep Whistler buzzing

Been inspired by the athletes you’ve seen perform in the last few weeks? Well, you’re in for another real treat. The strength, skill, courage and endurance of the Paralympians, who begin competing on March 12, will blow you away.

The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games run from March 12 to 21 with 1,350 athletes and officials from more than 80 countries.

The official Opening Ceremony for the Paralympics will take place in BC Place Stadium on Friday, March 12. Did you know that 62 out of 64 medals being awarded right here in Whistler? The Closing Ceremony will also take place at the Whistler Medals Plaza so get ready to celebrate.

The Paralympic Winter Games includes 64 medal events in five sports—Alpine Skiing, Cross– Country Skiing, Biathlon, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling. Wheelchair Curling and Ice Sledge Hockey will both be held in Vancouver but the remaining events will be in Whistler.

Don’t miss the Whistler Live! Paralympic line up with a great selection of visual and performing artists. Nightly medals and concerts will take place at Whistler Medals Plaza, March 13 to 18.

To buy tickets for Paralympic events, fans with an existing VANOC ticketing account are welcome to sign in and purchase Paralympic tickets online at vancouver2010.com/tickets.

New accounts can be created starting March 1 and account holders can purchase tickets online at that time.
You can also go to the ticket centres in Whistler (at Whistler Medals Plaza) or Vancouver (at Robson Square or Tourism Vancouver Office on Burrard Street) or call the ticket line on 1-800-TICKETS (1-800-842-5387).

Whistler resident focused on the Paralympic podium

Paralympian Matt Hallat is one of many local athletes set take the 2010 Paralympic Games by storm.

Hallat moved to Whistler in 2003 to pursue the podium in 2010. Having cut his teeth at the Torino Games, Hallat is ready for 2010. Hallat also lost his right leg to cancer at the age of six.

There are a lot of personal stories about Paralympians, but Hallat said the real story is what happens during competition.

“Being athletes is the biggest thing disabled athletes want to be noticed for more than anything else. We do have an inspirational aspect to our stories but we are just people who’ve dedicated our lives to sporting achievement,” Hallat said.

Hallat joined the World Cup team at 18 years old and is already a veteran on the circuit. A Paralympic gold medal has been his goal since he was 11 years old.

“When I was 12 years old, I wanted to go to the Olympics. When I found out about the Paralympics, I knew I could make it happen. I still remember writing papers about my goals in elementary school,” Hallat said.

Hallat competes in all four alpine skiing disciplines and is currently ranked 15th in the World Cup Super G Standings.

“There is pressure that comes with competing in your hometown. But that pressure can help accelerate you,” Hallat said.

Our valley town shines gold. By Kevin Damaskie 

Riding my bicycle to work on Sunday morning, a giddy crew of Canadian hockey fans disembarked the bus decked out in red hockey jerseys, maple leaves painted on faces, and Canadian flags flying fondly from hockey sticks.

If Canadians are fans of hockey in general, this Canadian is a fan of Whistler in particular. Our little valley town has left an indelible mark on these Games.

According to Whistler Secondary School principal Bev Oakley, Whistler-bred athletes – Ashleigh McIvor, Julia Murray, Mike and Britt Janyk, Mercedes Nicoll, Robbie Dixon, Emily Brydon and two internationals, Anastasia Skyrabin of the Ukraine and Australia’s Dale Begg-Smith are all Whistler Secondary alumnus.

Beyond exceptional athletes, this town has dedicated citizens – the workers, volunteers, artists, storytellers, historians, musicians, ski runs and just plain passionate citizens willing to work harder, paint their faces and fly our flag. Whistler, you have done yourself, and Canada proud.

There are many things that will make these Games special for me. Living, working and participating with my immediate Olympic family is first and foremost. I spent Sunday at Whistler Creekside, with Leslie, the woman of my dreams, watching the Men’s Slalom. Then we were off to Whistler Medals Plaza with our boys, Winter and Chance, to see the Canadian Four Man Bobsleigh team receive their bronze medals.

Now, I can barely wait for the Paralympics, for more athletes and for more perseverance from our town to be the best we can.

When Jon Montgomery sped by me on the Thunderbird turn and won a Canadian Gold Medal in Whistler, the rumble that shook my soul was more than a 140 km-h slider, it was the sound of a town made for the Olympics coming of age. What a party.

2010 Paralympics Games just around the corner - what you need to know

TRANSPORTATION
1. Transit in Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton resumes its regular winter service as of March 1.

2. The #10 Games Express continues from March 1 to 21. It connects the Athletes’ Village to the Gondola Transit Exchange and runs every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight.

3. As of March 1, regular fares apply on the 99 Pemberton Commuter, the 98 Squamish Commuter as well as the local service in Squamish and Pemberton.

4. Visit bctransit.com for complete information on transit changes.

5. Paralympic event tickets are valid for use on local Whistler Transit on event day until 4 a.m. the following morning.

6. The Sea to Sky checkpoint is closed. In the days following the Olympic Winter Games road crews will begin to remove the Olympic lane markers.

7. Blackcomb Way is still closed to public access between MY Place and Lorimer Road March 1 to 21. London Lane, under the bridge in Creekside, open March 1 to 6, then closed March 7 to 21.

8. Localized permitting in effect, Nordic Drive at Taluswood Place, March 7 21st, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. As well as, London Lane at Highway 99, March 7-21, 7am to 5pm.

THE MOUNTAINS
1. Creekside gondola is open to the public with priority loading for Paralympic athletes and officials.

2. Some of the previously closed runs on Whistler Mountain are now open. These include: Bear Cub, Raven/Ptarmigan, Upper Whisky Jack and Crabapple.

2010 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES
1. Did you know that Whislter’s hosting 62 of the 64 medal events?

2. Did you know that the Alpine Super Combined event will debut at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games?

3. Did you know that the official symbol of the International Paralympic Committee is the three “agitos” –representing mind, body and spirit?

4. Whistler Olympic Park reopens recreational trails March 1 for public cross-country skiing. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5. For up-to-date information on everything the 2010 Paralympic Games related, check whistler2010.com often.