PRP's Inspires Many with Opening Ceremony of Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games
March 12, 2010Vancouver, BC
In front of a full crowd at BC Place Stadium, PRP welcomed the International Paralympic Committee and its 1200 competitors to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games.
With a theme of "One Inpsire Many," tonight's opening ceremony was a true blend of spirit, heart and emotional fanfare - a true Canadian celebration.
Over 5000 perfomers took to the stage including: The Governor General of Canada: Michaelle Jean; Blind Vocalist and Paralympian: Terry Kelly; Four Host First Nations Elder: Audrey Rivers; Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli and ILLmask; Paralympians Aimee Mullins and Chantal Petitclerc; Michael Kaeshammer; Dal Richards; Martin DesChamps; Fefe Dobson; Nikki Yanofsky; Rick Hansen, Lloyd Robertson and Manfred Janssen.
With a moving tribute to Canadian inspirations Oscar Peterson, Rick Hansen and Terry Fox, the Paralympic Torch was brought into the stadium by Betty and Rolly Fox, the parents of the late Candaian hero Terry Fox. It was then passed to paralympians Daniel Wesley and Marni Abbott-Peter before the cauldron was lit by 15-year old Zach Beaumont, an avid amputee snowboarder who hopes to one day compete for Canada in the Paralympic Games.
Stay tuned to PRP for the Closing Ceremony, which takes place Sunday, March 21st in Whistler BC.
More information on the Opening Ceremony courtesy of the following:
Vancouver Observer
US Post Today
Vancouver Sun
MeriNews
Vancouver Sun
Times Colonist
Winnipeg Free Press
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