Yesterday I made reference to the Paralympic medals, manufactured in the same fasion as the 2010 Winter Olympics. Unfortunately, the Paralympics often take a back seat to the mainstream event, although the challenges, sacrifices, and determination displayed by its participants are as great, if not more.
This year's Paralympics are scheduled for March 12 thru 21, also in Vancouver. Events include alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, wheelchair curling, and sled hockey.
Today's Paralympic Games are elite competitions for athletes from six different disability groups and emphasize the athletic achievements of the participants rather than their disability. Like its Olympic counterpart, the Paralympic Games continue to draw more and more athletes, with more than 1,300 athletes representing more than 40 countries expected.
Shortly after the Olympic flame is extinguished in Vacouver, the Paralympic flame will be lit in Ottawa, Canada, and travel on a 10-day relay through Candada. The torch itself, 1 meter in length, was designed and manufactured by Bombardier, inspired by the Canadian winter landscape and the lines left on ice by winter sports. The torch also features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games emblem, a red maple leaf air intake cut-out and an engraving of the Games motto "With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits."
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