2010 Bid organizers believe Whistler could shine during games for the disabled
The athletes who compete are anything but relaxed about these Games.
But the Winter Paralympics are a more relaxed, more open competition than its big brother the Winter Olympics.
All the lifts on both Whistler and Blackcomb will remain open; the only runs which will be closed will be the ones used for competitions and training; event tickets are a fraction of the price making the Paralympics accessible to everyone; and all the events will take place in one location, Whistler.
Even the medals will be handed out here in a new arena-entertainment complex which will be built on Lots 1 and 9, should the Games come to town.
The only concession skiers and spectators alike are likely to have to make is to allow athletes priority loading on the gondolas and other lifts.
"We can do an incredible job of putting this on," said Tim Gayda director, operations planning, for the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation.
Gayda who spent a considerable amount of time listening and learning at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics last February, said Whistler’s bid already improves on Salt Lake’s excellent event.
"Having all the events up here together is great," said Gayda adding that the events were quite spread out at the Salt Lake Games.
Another disappointment at Salt Lake was the closure of the medal plaza during the Paralympics.
"That was disappointing as an outsider looking in," he said.
The only Paralympic event that would not be held here would be the opening ceremonies, which would be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The opening ceremony is seen as an important venue for raising the profile of the sport and organizers believe it should be held where the greatest number of people can be drawn in to watch and learn.
Education is a big part of the Paralympics said Gayda.
School students are brought to the ceremonies as well as to the events to educate and popularize the sports and those who take part.
The closing ceremonies would be held in Whistler.
If Vancouver and Whistler win the right to host the Winter Olympics in 2010 the Paralympics are part of the package.
"In essence it is like a six week festival with two Games," Gayda told a small but interested audience at the most recent Olympic InfoZone meeting.
The Paralympics include alpine skiing – downhill and super G on Whistler and slalom and giant slalom on Blackcomb – biathlon and cross country skiing at the proposed Nordic centre in the Callaghan Valley, sledge ice hockey at the new arena that would be built in Whistler, and wheelchair curling at yet to be determined locations.
It’s expected that up to 73,000 people will attend the Paralympics in Whistler. Another 25,000 will go to the Callaghan Valley to watch Nordic events.
On top of that at least 800 media will cover the Paralympic Games.
All will be transported using a system of public vehicles such as buses and shuttle vans. Just as with the Winter Olympics there will be no pubic parking at venue sites.
Anyone travelling up from Vancouver will use the same system of bus, passenger ferry and/or rail currently being organized for the Winter Olympics.
It’s expected the transportation system would carry between 7,000 and 11,000 spectators a day.
One of the largest legacies for Whistler of the Paralympics would be the new arena-entertainment complex.
While a final figure is not yet available on the complex, $20 million has been committed to its construction through the capital expenditure costs paid for by all three levels of government for facility construction prior to the Games.
Lots 1 and 9 could also accommodate retail and housing opportunities but planning and consultation for this will not take place until after the decision has been made by the International Olympic Committee on who will host the 2010 Games. The IOC will make its decision July 2, 2003.
The complex would seat 3,000 to 5,000 people and would be designed to host concerts, trade shows, conferences and ice-activities.
Athletes would stay in the same village as those who participated in the Winter Olympics. Currently it is proposed to be located at the mouth of the Callaghan Valley.
Construction of the village will be paid for in part through the capital cost budget financed by federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Between 5,000 and 8,000 volunteers will be needed to help the Paralympics run smoothly. They will be drawn not just from Whistler but also from Vancouver and around the world said Gayda.
"That’s if they can find a place to stay," he quipped.
At least 600 to 800 athletes are expected to attend the 2010 Paralympics, representing 40 countries.
Salt Lake’s Paralympic Games hosted 430 disabled athletes from 36 countries.
Twenty-seven Canadian athletes competed during the 10-day Games in Utah, bringing home a total of six gold medals, four silver and five bronze for sixth place overall.
Whistler is considered one of the most accessible sport venues for the disabled and many Paralympic and international athletes are excited about the opportunity to compete here.
"They are two of the most accessible mountains in the world," said Stacy Kohut, a former world champion sit-skier, who has just moved to Whistler from Canmore, Alberta.
The one area the resort needs to improve upon is signage, said Kohut, who plans to race in Whistler and act as a consultant for the 2010 Games.
"They just need to make it clearer where the ramps are… and it’s the same for wheelchair bathrooms," he said.
"Most of the buildings are accessible, most of the shops are, most of the restaurants are and there seems to be an elevator in just about every building, but the architects have done such a good job of making them blend into the background that you can’t find them."
