Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By @MoniKanada

Only three days left before the Paralympic Cauldron will be lit in here in Vancouver and the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be opened on March 12th!

I was curious about the Paralympic Torch Relay and will share some information with you which I adapted from the Vancouver 2010 web site and an online article by the Vancouver Observer.

The Paralympic Torch Relay is one of the most important tools to increase awareness and communication for Paralympic Games. It usually lasts at least seven days and starts after the closing of the Olympic Village.

Through public celebrations, school programs and online, the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will engage Canadians, and hopefully the world, by introducing us to the stirring stories of Paralympians and other Canadians who inspire by defying the odds. It will shine a light on their achievements, celebrate their passion for sports and help spark a flame in the soul and heart of Canadians. We will have the opportunity to gather and participate in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay when it visits our communities.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Emblem is a metaphor for the fire within each and every one of us — the fire of friendship, inspiration and the spirit of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Unlike the Olympic Flame, the Paralympic Flame has no traditional starting place, so each Paralympic Torch Relay team has the freedom to choose a lighting method and organise a ceremony that is significant to the Host Country. For the first time in its history, the Paralympic Torch Relay will be run in a non-linear way, with the Paralympic Flame being carried in and around each community while the celebrations take place.

In the last three days of the Paralympic Torch Relay the following Celebration Communities are opening up their events to us to enjoy the experience, celebrate the possible and admire the achievements of Paralympians and others with amazing stories of courage and perseverance:

March 10, 2010:
Vancouver – Hillcrest-Riley Park (Community Centre)
From 11 am – 1 pm
A unique flame creation ceremony by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will kick off the Paralympic Torch Relay. The Flame will travel in a circular route in Riley Park with exchanges taking place along the route and a street party on Ontario Street. The event will be launched by Mayor Robertson along with other municipal officials.

Maple Ridge celebrations will take place at Spirit Square beginning at 6:30 pm.

March 11, 2010
Vancouver (UBC) — Celebrations on the UBC campus will take place outside of the Student Union Building near the UBC Thunderbird Arena — home to ice sledge hockey competitions. The event will begin at 11:00 am.

March 11-12, 2010:
Vancouver Downtown – Robson Square:
Time: March 11-12, 2010 2 pm – 2 pm (24 hours)

The 24-hour Torch Relay will start from the stage at Robson Square and the Paralympic Flame will travel in a repeated loop along Howe, Georgia, Granville, Smithe, Bute and Robson with the exchanges of the Flame taking place at various locations. Celebration activities will include simultaneous live entertainment, sponsor activities, sports demos and cultural crafts display. Throughout the whole 24 hours the Paralympic Flame is continuously carried and passed between torchbearers.

The event concludes around Robson Square at 2:00pm on March 12. The Paralympic Flame will then be brought into BC Place for the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

I’m planning on going to one of the above celebration sites and let that torch spark a flame in my heart. Will I see you there?

PS: Follow the Paralympic Flame on Twitter: http://twitter.com/followtheflame

And go here (choose album ‘March 2010′) to see some amazing pictures from the Torch Relay in Whistler on March 8th!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel