August 29, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) — As the world’s top Paralympians gather in Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced details of how spectators can start planning to attend some of the most inspirational and affordably priced sporting events in the world — at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Approximately 250,000 tickets for 52 sport and ceremony events at seven venues, for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, go on sale on May 6, 2009 on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices start at $10 for group packages of 20 or more people. Eighty-five per cent of all individual tickets are priced at $20 or less. Individual tickets to alpine skiing events will be priced at $15, while wheelchair curling tickets will start at $15 and range up to $30. Ice sledge hockey tickets will range from $20 to $50, and prices for Opening Ceremony tickets will range from $30 to $175. A full range of information on Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games sport disciplines, events and ticket prices is available at www.vancouver2010.com, as is the opportunity to sign up to receive the latest ticketing information as it becomes available. Visa is the exclusive payment method for online ticket purchases.

“For 10 days in March, more than 600 Paralympians will inspire us with their world-class athleticism and incredible stories,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC executive vice president, sport and games operations. “The passion, skill and determination that these athletes demonstrate every day is truly remarkable. What’s more, the Games in 2010 will provide spectators with an unprecedented opportunity to personally witness their stories while providing a global platform for the Paralympic Movement.”

“One of the special pieces of our Paralympic ticket program is our group ticket package program, which will offer the public an affordable, simple and convenient opportunity to share the excitement and inspiration of the Games with their staff, teammates or friends and family,” said Caley Denton, VANOC vice president, ticketing and consumer marketing. “The Paralympic Games are one of the best values in the world of sport and these packages will enhance that value even more.”

Five of Canada’s top winter Paralympians attended today’s event and recounted their Paralympic experiences, speaking about the importance and motivation of competing at home, particularly in front of an enthusiastic crowd of spectators. The athletes included Lauren Woolstencroft, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, alpine skiing; Todd Nicholson, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, sledge hockey; Sonja Gaudet, 2006 Paralympic gold medallist, wheelchair curling; and cross-country skier Robbi Weldon, Canadian Para-Nordic Senior World Cup Team member, who was accompanied by her guide, Brian Berry.

“As an athlete, there’s no question the energy of a crowd can push you to perform at new heights,” said Woolstencroft. “Having venues filled with cheering, flag-waving Canadians will be an enormous advantage for all of our athletes.”

With just 9 days until the opening of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the five athletes from Canada’s 2010 Winter Games Paralympic team, and VANOC executives and staff, took the opportunity to offer a message of good will and good luck to Canada’s Paralympic team in Beijing by signing a “good luck” banner to be delivered to the team.

“Representing Canada at the Paralympic Games is a great honour and the result of years of hard work and determination; from experience I can say every Canadian athlete headed to Beijing is feeling the excitement, anticipation and most of all the pride of wearing the Maple Leaf on the world stage,” stated Nicholson. “I know their performances in Beijing will make all of Canada proud and set the tone for our winter athlete’s performances in 2010.”

Further information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games ticket program and the many additional events in Vancouver and Whistler during the Games, including the nightly Victory Ceremonies in Whistler, will be released in the coming months.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit: vancouver2010.com