2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremony

03.12.10
I got on a city bus off Marine Drive at 4:30 p.m. to head over to BC Place Stadium and attend the sold-out 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. I was scanning all the people around me coming from different directions and heading for the same destination. As I reached the security tent at BC Place my heart was pumping with anticipation. Once inside I found my spot ... third row, aisle seat right behind a section of the athletes! At each seat were an event program and bag with a poncho (colors varied depending on where you were sitting), a gold piece of paper and a pom-pom that twinkled red with the flip of a switch. As the event began, I was overcome with emotion. The theme was "One inspires many." Governor General Michaelle Jean declared the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games open from the VIP box. The dialogue and songs were done in both French and English. When someone was speaking French the English translation was displayed on both big screens at either end of the stadium. The U.S. and Canadian athletes received the most cheers and applause upon entering the center stage. The lighting of the Paralympic Torch was AMAZING! Of course my camera died right before this, so I had to use my cell phone to capture stills and video.