Paralympic Ticket Sale Starts in Vancouver

The kick off was met with a celebration at the Library Square Conference Centre at the North Promenade in Vancouver, Canada. On hand for the big event were VANOC Executive Vice President (Revenue Marketing and Communications) Dave Cobb and VANOC Vice President (Ticketing and Consumer Marketing) Caley Denton.

Also at the event were Sumi, the Paralympic mascot, and four Paralympic Winter Sport athletes from Canada who are aiming to compete at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Josh Dueck (Alpine Skiing), Jim Armstrong (Wheelchair Curling), Joe Skillen (Ice Sledge Hockey) and Courtney Knight (Cross-Country Skiing) each were at the celebration to give interviews and demonstrate their respective sports and equipment.

A total of 250,000 tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis. They are sold in real-time and there is not a random lottery process for any Paralympic event. Paralympic fans do have the opportunity to buy tickets for every session, however some sessions have limits on the number of tickets one can purchase.

VANOC says that 70% of Paralympic events at the Vancouver Winter Games are available to the general public and cost CAN$20 or less, with most tickets ranging in price from CAN$15-30. All Canadian residents, regardless of citizenship, can purchase tickets from the Vancouver Organizing Committee either online, by phone, or at box offices in Whistler and Vancouver. Non-Canadian residents must purchase tickets through their respective National Paralympic Committees or the Official Ticketing in their respective territory.

For the Opening Ceremony on 12 March 2010, tickets range from CAN$30-175. Pricing is still to be determined for the Closing Ceremony, but will be similar in range.

VANOC has indicated that it is anticipating a high level of interest for Paralympic tickets. "Without question the Paralympic Winter Games are one of the most exceptional values in sports and entertainment," said Mr. Denton. "Spectators will leave having witnessed first-hand the determination and courage of some of the world's finest athletes - and that will stay with people forever."

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 12-21 March 2010, with approximately 600 athletes from 45 countries expected to compete in five sports: Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling.

For complete and updated information on the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, as well as ticket sales and prices, please visit www.vancouver2010.com.