Robert Scales of VancouverAccess2010.com recently approached me to see if I could help run a contest to give away his tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony. Wanting to do more than simply hold a draw, Robert had the fantastic idea to also raise funds for the BC Wheelchair Sports Association.

We only have about 10 hours to run this contest in order to get the tickets to the winner on time so here’s how it will work:

• Please visit the online donation page and contribute a minimum of $10 to the BC Wheelchair Sports Association.
• The page will generate a list of all donors for us and from that list, a winner will be drawn at random.

It’s pretty much a win-win situation. A cause is supported, you learn more about the upcoming Paralympics coverage on VancouverAccess2010.com, (& Miss604.com) and someone gets to attend the Opening Ceremony with a friend — for $10.

The ceremony will not be televised live as CTV will be taping it and airing it on Saturday March 13th.

The contest will close at 12:00am March 12th (that’s midnight tonight) and I will notify the winner by the email they supply on the donation page. 100% of the donations will go directly to the BC Wheelchair Sports Association as they are registered with CanadaHelps.

Thank you and I hope everyone really enjoys the excitement and amazing athletic performances of the Paralympic Games.

All donations of at least $10 are contest entries and must be received through the online donation page. The winner will need to arrange to collect their tickets from Robert tomorrow, Friday March 12th, 2010. Two tickets will be awarded, valued at $370 for the pair.

*Cross-posted from Miss604.com

>>>>>>>>>>>> UPDATE AT 12:00 AM <<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Due to server issues at CanadaHelps, we are pushing the deadline until 8AM…

In the case that the servers are still being down by then we will assign tickets alternatively.

Just in case, feel free to leave comments with your intent to make a $10 donation to the BC Wheelchair Sports Association when the system goes back up… (We’ll use the good old honor system, since this is for a good cause..)

Make sure to email CanadaHelps with your best polite complaints…

I’ve been quite fortunate in getting tickets to Olympic events here at the Vancouver 2010 Games! I’ve been lucky enough to acquire tickets to several events, all at face value. Events I’ve seen include speed skating at the Olympic Oval, men’s hockey at Canada Hockey Place, and women’s hockey at Thunderbird Stadium at UBC. I’ve also been to a Victory Ceremony and to the Molson Canadian Hockey House twice to watch hockey games there.

The best part about all of these opportunities for me is that I am able to take  photos of once in a lifetime events in our beautiful city!

Here are some of those images to give you a taste of my 2010 Olympics experiences:

Speed Skating:

On February 13th, after winning tickets in the Holland Heineken House ticket lottery for Dutch citizens, I went to my first speed skating event. It was unbelievable! The energy in the Richmond Oval was electrifying! And the fact that Holland’s Sven Kramer won Gold, made it that much better!

Gold Medalist, Sven Kramer of the Netherlands.

Victory Ceremony:

The first gold medal for Canada was awarded to Alex Bilodeau on February 15th. I was at the medal ceremony to see it happen!

\

Molson Canadian Hockey House:

On February 15th, Tom Cochrane played at the Molson Canadian Hockey House. Guests to his stage included Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies, and Donald Sutherland. It was an amazing show and the House was full of energy and excitement! A super fun time! If you have a chance to watch a game at the Molson Canadian Hockey House, take it! Included in the FanZone ticket is entrance, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer is $7.50 tax and tip included.

Men’s Hockey:

I was at the USA vs Norway game on February 18th. We had seats right behind the photographers’ pit and I was able to sneak into the photographers area for about 20 minutes in the second period! It was amazing to be so close to the action and having the players bang up against the glass right in front of me! Here are some of the shots from that game.

Women’s Hockey:

On February 22nd, the Swiss played the Russians in Women’s Hockey at Thunderbird Stadium out at UBC. After a well-matched game, a few injuries, overtime and a shootout, the Swiss were victorious, winning 4th place in the 2010 Olympic standings! Congratulations Switzerland!

Believe it or not, there are still tickets available for upcoming events! We are into the final week of the Games and your final chances to see some awesome Olympic athletes in action! Try your luck for tickets at the Vancouver 2010 Fan to Fan site, Craigslist, or even right outside the venues from people trying to simply sell extra tickets at face value because they are unable to attend the event. It doesn’t always have to be pricey!A 10 Day

After winning the first Canadian gold medal on home turf freestyle moguls skier Alex Bilodeau had a press conference this morning which I sat in on at the BC International Media Centre.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr / 2010.JohnBiehler.com

The very humble Bilodeau replied in both French and English, offering much praise to the Own the Podium program, his family (in particular his brother), and his fellow athletes. “This extraordinary effort does not come in isolation,” said Peter Judge, CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. “First and foremost we are thanking Canada.”

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr / 2010.JohnBiehler.com

Running on 3 hours of sleep after many media meetings, appearances and television spots in the last 18 hours, Bilodeau did a great job of even addresses tough questions from press about judging at sporting events like his. “The only thing I can control is my performance,” he noted.

When asked what his coach’s last words of wisdom were before he went down his medal-winning run he simply replied, “I said to him, ‘thank you’.”

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr / 2010.JohnBiehler.com

With many more press conferences, interviews, and photo ops on his horizon Bilodeau is ultimately looking forward to seeing his family tonight. He added, “for me it’s just the beginning of a great party & all of Canada is invited.”

Submitted by Rebecca Bollwitt

Today is the last day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

I had the pleasure seeing the torch up close and being passed on right in front of me, along side so many Vancouverites and Olympic fans..

“The Olympic Flame has a sacred history and symbolizes the principles of peace, brotherhood and friendship,” notes VANOC (the Vancouver Olympics Committee), and is “a 45,000 kilometre journey across Canada that will unify the country and build excitement for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

According to VANOC, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics torch relay is “the longest in history to be contained within the Host Country.”

Vancouver 2010 Olympics Torch Relay Statistics

Some interesting statistics, provided by VANOC in a media kit released in October, 2010.

• 106 days long (October 30, 2009 – February 12, 2010)
• 187 community celebrations
• 1020 communities and places of interest, including
  • 115 Aboriginal communities
  • 20 places of interest
  • 14 Canadian Forces Bases and Canadian Forces Stations
• 90% of Canada’s 32 million population (about 29 million) will be within one hour’s drive of the relay route
• 12,000 – number of torchbearers
• 45,000 – total kilometres traveled across the country
  • 18,000 – total kilometres by air
  • 1,000 – total kilometres by water
  • 26,000 – total kilometres by land
  • 100 – approximate number of different modes of transportation used along the way

The sheer length of the relay within the host country (with no international legs included) is what has distinguished it from previous Olympic torch relays.

Close

For seven years Vancouverites have been anticipating the 2010 Winter Olympics (in either a positive or negative way). On February 12th, 2007 the official countdown clock for the Olympic and Paralympic Games was installed outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Over the last two years it’s been counting down to this single day, and a single moment in time that will happen tonight at BC Place.

Photo by Raincity Studios on Flickr

Photo by Espera on Flickr

Photo by pkdon50 on Flickr

Photo by Kanpeki Yume on Flickr

Photo by GusF on Flickr

Photo by Sea Turtle on Flickr

Photo by Jeff Tabaco on Flickr

Photo by scazon on Flickr

Photo by world of jan on Flickr

Photo by nnil on Flickr

Photo by Miss604 on Flickr

Photo by cheukiecfu on Flickr

Photo by John Bollwitt on Flickr

Photo by Miss604 on Flickr

I know a series of clock photos isn’t the most exciting (and as you can see it doesn’t snow that much) but it’s what this timepiece symbolizes that matters. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Games are here, and this is one excited city.

We had the chance to take a sneak peak inside the Molson Canadian House.
For more information on the Molson Canadian Hockey House check out our earlier post

This place looks like it’s going to be rocking until the wee hours of the morning!

Passes are need to enter into the venue. FANZONE passes are now sold out and some can be found on Vancouver Craiglist.
VIP passes are still available by calling 1 866 523 8959

Today Premier Campbell had the exciting chance to be one of the first people to try out the zip-line in Robson Square.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly across Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.

The Zip Line will be available to the public starting February 12 2010 at 10am everyday for 17 days!
Get there early or be prepared to wait in line. As this is a very popular activity during the 2010 Olympics.

Place de la Francophonie 2010 will exude all the Latin flavours of a French Quarter during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Located in the heart of Granville Island, this little “French Quarter” will offer visitors a cornucopia of FREE activities including shows featuring Canadian and international performers, a sports pub, an agritourism pavilion, exhibition venues and many others activities. More than just a meeting spot, visitors to Place de la Francophonie will delight in the ongoing festive atmosphere while discovering the cultural and artistic wealth of the country.

The performances presented at Place de la Francophonie 2010 are part of VANOC’s Cultural Olympiad.

February 11th to 28th, 2010

Hours of operation:

Air Canada Stage: Everyday from 6:00 p.m.
Club Adrenaline: 11:00 a.m. to midnight
Agritourism Pavilion: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Street Events: Starting at noon

At Place de la Francophonie each evening presents an opportunity to stir your imagination with performances and shows illustrating the diversity of Canada’s Francophone culture, where established stars perform alongside the best of emerging artistes in an atmosphere of perpetual celebration.
Starting everyday at 6pm

The Program:

Close