View source for 2010 Winter Paralympics

{{Short description|Multi-parasport event in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox Olympic games|2010|Winter|Paralympics|
| image       = Vancouver 2010 Paralympics logo.svg
| image_size  = 200
| host_city   = [[Vancouver]], Canada
| motto       = ''[[O Canada|With Glowing Hearts]]''<br />({{langx|fr|Des plus brillants exploits}})
| nations     = 44
| athletes    = 506
| events      = 64 in 5 [[Paralympic sports|sports]]
| opening     = 12 March 2010
| closing     = 21 March 2010
| opened_by   = [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] [[Michaëlle Jean]]
| closed_by  = [[President of the International Paralympic Committee|IPC President]] [[Philip Craven]]
| cauldron    = [[Zach Beaumont]]
| stadium     = [[BC Place Stadium]]
| winter_prev = [[2006 Winter Paralympics|Turin 2006]]
| winter_next = [[2014 Winter Paralympics|Sochi 2014]]
| summer_prev = [[2008 Summer Paralympics|Beijing 2008]]
| summer_next = [[2012 Summer Paralympics|London 2012]]
}}
{{2010 Winter Paralympics Sidebar}}

The '''2010 Winter Paralympics''' ({{langx|fr|Jeux paralympiques d'hiver de 2010}}),  or the tenth [[Paralympic Winter Games]], were held in [[Vancouver]] and [[Whistler, British Columbia|Whistler]], British Columbia, Canada, from March 12 to 21, 2010. The opening ceremony took place in [[BC Place Stadium]] in Vancouver and the closing ceremony in [[Whistler Medals Plaza]].

This was the first time Canada hosted the Winter [[Paralympic Games]] and second time it hosted the Paralympics – the first was the [[1976 Summer Paralympics]] in [[Toronto]].

On June 7, 2006, [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Edward]], as a member of the [[Monarchy of Canada#Canada's royal family and house|Canadian Royal Family]] and patron of the British Paralympic Association, raised the flag of the Paralympic Games outside [[Vancouver City Hall]].<ref name=VS060608/>

[[Brian McKeever]] of [[Canada at the Paralympics|Canada]] became the first athlete to be named in a Winter Paralympics and [[2010 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]] team in the same year, although he did not compete in the Olympic Games. (At the [[2010 Winter Olympics]], he was scheduled to compete in the men's 50&nbsp;km cross-country race, but the coach replaced him with a skier who did well at an earlier event.)<ref name=VS100217/><ref name=TN100217/><ref name=BH100220/> At the Paralympics, he competed in [[Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|cross-country skiing]] and [[Biathlon at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|biathlon]].

[[Viviane Forest]] became the first Paralympian to win a gold in both the Winter and Summer Games, having won the [[Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Women's downhill|women's downhill for visually impaired]]. She had previously won gold in the [[2000 Summer Paralympics|2000]] and [[2004 Summer Paralympics]] for women's [[goalball]].<ref name=VS100318/><ref name=VS100311/> Canadian [[Lauren Woolstencroft]] won 5 gold medals in [[Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|alpine skiing]], the most gold medals won by any Canadian Winter Paralympian at a single Games.<ref name=VS100321/> Also German [[Verena Bentele]] won 5 gold medals, in [[Biathlon at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|biathlon]] and [[Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|cross-country skiing]], and with that number they set the [[List of 2010 Winter Paralympics medal winners#Medal leaders|gold medal record for the 2010 Games]].

== Bidding process ==
{{Main|Bids for the 2010 Winter Olympics}}
As part of a formal agreement between the [[International Paralympic Committee]] and the [[International Olympic Committee]] first established in 2001, the winner of the bid for the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] was also to host the 2010 Winter Paralympics.<ref name="bbc-firstglobal">{{cite web|title=Paralympics 2012: London to host 'first truly global Games'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/18143145|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2012}}</ref> Following the second and final round of voting at the 115th IOC Session in [[Prague]], Czech Republic, the right to host the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics were awarded to Vancouver.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_3039000/3039690.stm|title=Vancouver to host 2010 Winter Olympics|publisher=[[BBC|CBBC Newsround]]|date=July 2, 2003|access-date=January 7, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090131105840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_3039000/3039690.stm| archive-date=January 31, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"  style="width:auto; text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="6" | 2010 Winter Olympics bidding results<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/past.html |title=Past Olympic Host City Election Results |access-date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124022022/http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/past.html |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |website=GameBids.com |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>
|- style="background:#ccc;"
| '''City'''
| '''Nation'''
| '''Round 1'''
| '''Round 2'''
|- style="background:#efefef;"
| [[Vancouver]]||{{CAN}}
| align=center|40||align=center|'''56'''
|- style="background:#efefef;"
| [[Pyeongchang]]||{{KOR}}
| align=center|'''51'''||align=center|53
|- style="background:#efefef;"
| [[Salzburg]]||{{AUT}}
| align=center|16||align=center|—
|}

==Development and preparation==
{{See also|Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games}}

===Torch relay===
{{See also|2010 Winter Paralympics torch relay}}

The same torch design (silver with Paralympic logo) used for the Olympics was used for the Paralympic Games. On March 3, 2010, the torch began a 10-day journey from Ottawa to Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=54918.html#paralympic+torch+relay+begins+journey |title=Paralympic torch relay begins 10 day journey |publisher=Ctvolympics.ca |date=2013-11-20 |access-date=2014-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312234256/http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid%3D54918.html |archive-date=March 12, 2010 }}</ref> The relay involved approximately six hundred runners to carry the torch across ten Canadian cities in three provinces:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/vancouver-2010-paralympic-torch-relay-starting-point--torch-design--uniform-and-emblem-revealed--_68464JP.html |title=Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay starting point, torch design, uniform and emblem revealed |publisher=Vancouver2010.com |access-date=2014-02-07 |archive-date=April 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408221307/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/vancouver-2010-paralympic-torch-relay-starting-point--torch-design--uniform-and-emblem-revealed--_68464JP.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[Ottawa]] – March 3
* [[Quebec City]] – March 4
* [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] – March 5
* [[Esquimalt, British Columbia|Esquimalt]], BC and [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], BC – March 6
* [[Squamish, British Columbia|Squamish]], BC – March 7
* [[Whistler, British Columbia|Whistler]], BC – March 8
* [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]] and [[Hope, British Columbia|Hope]], BC – March 9
* Vancouver (Riley Park) and [[Maple Ridge, British Columbia|Maple Ridge]], BC – March 10
* Vancouver ([[University of British Columbia]]), BC – March 11
* Vancouver, BC – March 12 (24-hour relay)

===Venues===
{{See also|Venues of the 2010 Winter Olympics}}

Venues for the 2010 Winter Paralympics were shared between Vancouver and Whistler, as with the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].

;Competition venues

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:700px;"
|-
!width=25%|Venue
!width=15%|Location
! class="unsortable" style="width:30%;"|Sports
!width=10%|Capacity
! style="width:5%;" class="unsortable"| Ref.
|-
| [[Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre]]
| Vancouver
| [[Ice sledge hockey]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 7,200
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41126/32528/1bf5d78/ubc-thunderbird-arena.html |title=Venues–UBC Thunderbird Arena |publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee |access-date=February 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206155255/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41126/32528/1bf5d78/ubc-thunderbird-arena.html |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre]]
| Vancouver
| [[Wheelchair curling]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 6,000
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41232/32528/1bl2qu4/vancouver-olympicparalympic-ce.html |title=Venues–Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre |publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee |access-date=February 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206043900/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41232/32528/1bl2qu4/vancouver-olympicparalympic-ce.html |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[Whistler Blackcomb|Whistler Creekside]]
| Whistler
| [[Paralympic alpine skiing|Alpine skiing]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 7,600
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41240/32528/f7wsx8/whistler-creekside.html|title=Venues–Whistler Creekside|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090130042247/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41240/32528/f7wsx8/whistler-creekside.html| archive-date= January 30, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Whistler Olympic Park|Whistler Paralympic Park]]
| Whistler
| [[Paralympic biathlon|Biathlon]], [[Paralympic Nordic skiing|cross-country skiing]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 6,000
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41244/32528/1hzn6v3/whistler-olympicparalympic-par.html|title=Venues–Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090221165659/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/41244/32528/1hzn6v3/whistler-olympicparalympic-par.html| archive-date= February 21, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|}

;Non-competition venues

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:700px;"
|-
!width=30%|Venue
!width=15%|Location
! class="unsortable" style="width:35%;"|Purpose
! style="width:5%;" class="unsortable"| Ref.
|-
| [[BC Place Stadium]]
| Vancouver
| Opening ceremonies
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52810/32528/1hqloid/bc-place.html|title=Venues–BC Place|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215163258/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52810/32528/1hqloid/bc-place.html| archive-date= February 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre|International Broadcast Centre]]
| Vancouver
| Media (Broadcaster) Centre
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52822/32528/1o4ypwf/main-media-centre.html|title=Venues–Main Media Centre|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215163303/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52822/32528/1o4ypwf/main-media-centre.html| archive-date= February 15, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| [[2010 Olympic Village|Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village]]
| Vancouver
| Paralympic Village
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52756/32528/1x8qres/olympic-and-paralympic-village.html|title=Venues–Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090224082852/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52756/32528/1x8qres/olympic-and-paralympic-village.html| archive-date= February 24, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| Whistler Media Centre
| Whistler
| Media centre
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52832/32528/5kp4ht/whistler-media-centre.html|title=Venues–Whistler Media Centre|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225214454/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52832/32528/5kp4ht/whistler-media-centre.html| archive-date= February 25, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village]]
| Whistler
| Paralympic Village
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52828/32528/ymmy8h/olympic-and-paralympic-village.html|title=Venues–Olympic and Paralympic Village Whistler|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225215215/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52828/32528/ymmy8h/olympic-and-paralympic-village.html| archive-date= February 25, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
| Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza
| Whistler
| Awards and Closing ceremonies
| align=center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52834/32528/x8g2t7/whistler-olympic-celebration-p.html|title=Venues–Whistler Olympic Celebration Plaza|publisher=Vancouver Organizing Committee|access-date=February 13, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090326070101/http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/competition-schedules-and-venues/venues/-/52834/32528/x8g2t7/whistler-olympic-celebration-p.html| archive-date= March 26, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
|}

===Marketing===
{{See also|2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots}}

When the mascot, Sumi, an animal guardian spirit with the wings of the [[Thunderbird (mythology)|Thunderbird]] and legs of a black bear, was introduced, it was the first time the Olympic and Paralympic mascots were introduced at the same time.

To commemorate the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, 17 [[Canadian coins]] were issued for general circulation. Two of the circulation coins honour Paralympic sports: wheelchair curling (released on July 11, 2007) and ice sledge hockey (released on March 18, 2010). The circulation quarters omitted a traditional phrase, [[Dei Gratia Regina]], from their obverse side, making them the first godless coins in circulation since 1911.<ref>"14 circulating coins included in 2010 Olympic program", Bret Evans, Canadian Coin News, January 23 to February 5, 2007, issue of Canadian Coin News</ref>

'''Specifications'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Years !! Weight !! Diameter/Shape !! Composition
|-
|2007–present
|4.4 g
|23.88&nbsp;mm
|94.0% [[steel]], 3.8% [[copper]], 2.2% [[nickel]] plating
|}

'''Details'''
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Date of Issue
!Sport
!Artist
!Mintage
|-
|July 11, 2007
|[[Wheelchair curling]]
|Glen Green
|22,000,000
|-
|March 18, 2010
|[[Ice sledge hockey]]
|Glen Green
|22,000,000
|}

==The games==

===Opening ceremonies===
With a theme of "One inspires many," the opening ceremony featured over 5000 local performers. Fifteen-year-old snowboarder Zach Beaumont, who is an amputee, was the final torch bearer and lit the Games Cauldron. The 2 hours live ceremony was produced by Vancouver-based Patrick Roberge Productions Inc.

===Participating nations===
Forty-four [[National Paralympic Committee]]s (NPCs) entered athletes at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. This was an increase of five from the 39 represented at the [[2006 Winter Paralympics]]. The number in parentheses indicates the number of participants from each NPC.
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* {{flagIPC|AND|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|ARG|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|ARM|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|AUS|2010 Winter|11}}<ref name=athletes>[http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/athletes/ Athletes: Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225111853/http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/athletes/ |date=December 25, 2010 }}, The Official Website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games</ref>
* {{flagIPC|AUT|2010 Winter|19}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|BLR|2010 Winter|9}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|BEL|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|BIH|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|BUL|2010 Winter|3}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|CAN|2010 Winter|55}}<ref name=athletes/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Games/Vancouver-2010-Team-Canada.html |title=Vancouver 2010 Team Canada |publisher=Canadian Paralympic Committee |access-date=March 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304142245/http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Games/Vancouver-2010-Team-Canada.html |archive-date=March 4, 2010 }}</ref>
* {{flagIPC|CHI|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|CHN|2010 Winter|7}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|CRO|2010 Winter|4}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|CZE|2010 Winter|19}}<ref name=athletes/><ref name="bleacherreport.com">[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/351071-sledge-masters-on-the-2010-paralympic-sledge-hockey-tournament "Sledge Masters: Previewing the 2010 Paralympic Sledge Hockey Tournament"], CBS Sports</ref>
* {{flagIPC|DEN|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|FIN|2010 Winter|5}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|FRA|2010 Winter|21}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|GER|2010 Winter|20}}<ref name=athletes/><ref>[http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/eyes_abroad-coupdoeil/CountingDown_comptearebours-Jan2010.aspx?lang=en "Munich Counting Down to Vancouver 2010 – With an Eye to 2018!"], Canada International (Canadian government website) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724085724/http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/eyes_abroad-coupdoeil/CountingDown_comptearebours-Jan2010.aspx?lang=en |date=July 24, 2010 }}</ref>
* {{flagIPC|GBR|2010 Winter|12}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|GRE|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.gr |title=www.paralympic.gr |publisher=www.paralympic.gr |access-date=2014-02-07}}</ref>
* {{flagIPC|HUN|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|ISL|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|IRI|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|ITA|2010 Winter|35}}<ref name=athletes/><ref name="bleacherreport.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.repubblica.it/news/sport/vancouver-2010-paralimpiadi-italia-ai-giochi-con-35-atleti/3759263?refresh_ce |title=VANCOUVER 2010, PARALIMPIADI: ITALIA AI GIOCHI CON 35 ATLETI|publisher=Sport.repubblica.it |access-date=2014-02-07}}</ref>
* {{flagIPC|JPN|2010 Winter|42}}<ref name=athletes/><ref name="bleacherreport.com"/>
* {{flagIPC|KAZ|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|MEX|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|MGL|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|NED|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|NZL|2010 Winter|2}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|NOR|2010 Winter|27}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|POL|2010 Winter|12}}<ref name=athletes/><ref>[http://www.paralympic.org.pl/userfiles/Reprezentacja%20Polski%20na%20Igrzyska%20Paraolimpijskie%202010.pdf "Reprezentacja Polski na X Zimowe Igrzyska Paraolimpijskie VANCOUVER 2010"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227112944/http://www.paralympic.org.pl/userfiles/Reprezentacja%20Polski%20na%20Igrzyska%20Paraolimpijskie%202010.pdf |date=February 27, 2012 }}, Polski Komitet Paraolimpijski</ref>
* {{flagIPC|ROU|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|RUS|2010 Winter|31}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|SRB|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|SVK|2010 Winter|13}}<ref name=athletes/><ref>[http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100217/NEWS/100219476/1078&ParentProfile=1062 "Vail skier qualifies for Paralympics"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308093108/http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100217/NEWS/100219476/1078%26ParentProfile%3D1062 |date=March 8, 2012 }}, ''Vail Daily'', February 17, 2010</ref>
* {{flagIPC|SLO|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|RSA|2010 Winter|1}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|KOR|2010 Winter|25}}<ref name=athletes/><ref name="bleacherreport.com"/>
* {{flagIPC|ESP|2010 Winter|5}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|SWE|2010 Winter|26}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|SUI|2010 Winter|15}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|UKR|2010 Winter|19}}<ref name=athletes/>
* {{flagIPC|USA|2010 Winter|50}}<ref name=athletes/>
{{div col end}}

A total of 506 athletes participated in the Games. This is an increase from the 476 athletes who participated in 2006.

[[Argentina at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Argentina]] and [[Romania at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Romania]] took part in the Winter Paralympic Games for the first time,<ref>[http://www.paralympic.org/Sport/Results/search.html?npc=ARG&gender=all&medal=all&sport=all&games=all Argentina at the Paralympics], [[International Paralympic Committee]]</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Andriev |first1=Lucretia |title=Vancouver 2010 Au inceput Jocurile Paralimpice/ Romania, reprezentata de o singura sportiva: Laura Valeanu |url=https://sport.hotnews.ro/stiri-alte_sporturi-7027244-vancouver-2010-inceput-jocurile-paralimpice-romania-reprezentata-singura-sportiva-laura-valeanu.htm |website=sport.hotnews.ro |access-date=26 June 2023 |language=ro |date=13 March 2010}}</ref> as did [[Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Bosnia and Herzegovina]].<ref>[http://www.paralympic.org/Sport/Results/search.html?npc=BIH&gender=all&medal=all&sport=all&games=all Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Paralympics], [[International Paralympic Committee]]</ref> All three have previously participated in several editions of the [[Summer Paralympics]]. [[Serbia at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Serbia]] also made its Winter Paralympics début as a distinct NPC, following its split with [[Montenegro]].<ref>[http://www.paralympic.org/Sport/Results/search.html?npc=SRB&gender=all&medal=all&sport=all&games=all Serbia at the Paralympics], [[International Paralympic Committee]]</ref>

Despite the overall increase of delegates and athletes, [[Latvia]], which participated in Turin for the 2006 Winter Paralympics, did not send athletes to Vancouver.

===Sports===
Five sports were on the 2010 program:

* [[File:Alpine skiing (paralympics) pictogram.svg|20px]] {{GamesSport|Alpine skiing|Events=30|Image=No}}
* [[File:Biathlon - Paralympic pictogram.svg|20px]] {{GamesSport|Biathlon|Events=12|Image=No}}
* [[File:Cross-country skiing - Paralympic pictogram.svg|20px]] {{GamesSport|Cross-country skiing|Events=20|Image=No}}
* [[File:Ice sledge hockey - Paralympic pictogram.svg|20px]] {{GamesSport|Ice sledge hockey|Events=1|Image=No}}
* [[File:Wheelchair curling pictogram (Paralympics).svg|20px]] {{GamesSport|Wheelchair curling|Events=1|Image=No}}

===Calendar===
In the following calendar for the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games, each blue box represents an event competition, such as a qualification round, on that day. The yellow boxes represent days during which gold medal finals for a sport are held.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Competition Schedule |url=http://www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/Paralympic_Games/Vancouver_2010/2009_07_CompetitionSchedule-PARA-EN-V7.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=[[International Paralympic Committee]] |access-date=August 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006142755/http://www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/Paralympic_Games/Vancouver_2010/2009_07_CompetitionSchedule-PARA-EN-V7.pdf |archive-date=October 6, 2009 }}</ref>

{{2010 Winter Paralympics Calendar}}

===Medal count===
{{Main|2010 Winter Paralympics medal table}}
The top ten [[National Paralympic Committee|NPCs]] by number of gold medals are listed below. The host nation, Canada, is highlighted.

{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | show_limit     = 
 | remaining_text = 
 | flag_template  = flagIPCteam
 | event          = 2010 Winter
 | team           = 
 | gold_GER = 13 | silver_GER = 5 | bronze_GER = 6
 | gold_RUS = 12 | silver_RUS = 16 | bronze_RUS = 10
 | gold_CAN = 10 | silver_CAN = 5 | bronze_CAN = 4 | host_CAN = yes 
 | gold_SVK = 6 | silver_SVK = 2 | bronze_SVK = 3
 | gold_UKR = 5 | silver_UKR = 8 | bronze_UKR = 6
 | gold_USA = 4 | silver_USA = 5 | bronze_USA = 4
 | gold_AUT = 3 | silver_AUT = 4 | bronze_AUT = 4
 | gold_JPN = 3 | silver_JPN = 3 | bronze_JPN = 5
 | gold_BLR = 2 | silver_BLR = 0 | bronze_BLR = 7
 | gold_FRA = 1 | silver_FRA = 4 | bronze_FRA = 1
}}

===Podium sweeps===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date
! Sport
! Event
! {{Tooltip|NOC|National Olympic Committee}}
! Gold
! Silver
! Bronze
! {{Tooltip|Ref|Results reference}}
|-
| 17 March
| [[Biathlon at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Biathlon]]
| [[Biathlon at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Men's individual|Men's 12.5km Sitting]]
| {{flagIPC|RUS|2010 Winter}}
| [[Irek Zaripov]]
| [[Vladimir Kiselev]]
| [[Roman Petushkov]]
|align=center| <ref>[http://www.vancouver2010.com/ns/pdf/BTM312101C73A.pdf OFFICIAL RESULTS / RÉSULTATS OFFICIELS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515084350/http://www.vancouver2010.com/ns/pdf/BTM312101C73A.pdf |date=May 15, 2010 }}(Google Quick view), The Official site for the 2010 Winter Paralympics</ref>
|-
| 21 March
| [[Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics|Cross-country skiing]]
| [[Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Men's 1 km Sprint Classic|Men's 1 km Sprint Classic Sitting]]
| {{flagIPC|RUS|2010 Winter}}
| [[Sergey Shilov]]
| [[Irek Zaripov]]
| [[Vladimir Kiselev]]
|align=center| <ref name="res">{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/cross-country-skiing/schedule-and-results/|title=Cross-Country Skiing Schedule and Results|publisher=The official website of the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver|access-date=2010-03-16|archive-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823013045/http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/cross-country-skiing/schedule-and-results/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

==Broadcasters==
In Canada, the games were broadcast by [[Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium]], a [[joint venture]] between [[CTVglobemedia]] and [[Rogers Media]]. The networks aired a greater amount of coverage than what had been shown in previous years, a total of 50 hours of coverage. Coverage included including a daily 90-minute highlight program, and live coverage of select sledge hockey matches (games involving Canada, plus the gold medal game) on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]]. The opening ceremony was broadcast live on CTV's Vancouver station [[CIVT-TV]], followed by an encore aired nationally on CTV and [[Réseau Info Sports]] the following afternoon.<ref name="ctvolym-paratv"/> While not originally planned, CTV and RDS also aired live coverage of the [[2010 Winter Paralympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]].<ref name=CTV100316/>

The games were aired on [[Universal Sports]] in the United States.

Paralympic Sport TV (paralympicsport.tv), the Internet TV channel of the [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC), offered international free online live and recorded coverage of the games, every day from 9:00 to 22:30 PST.<ref name=IPCTV/>

In New Zealand, [[Sky Network Television|SKY TV]] broadcast one hour of highlights each day, and full coverage of New Zealand athletes.<ref name=SkyTVNewZealand/>

In the United Kingdom, [[BBC]] broadcast the Games, but only through the [[BBC Red Button|red button]] and online.<ref name=BHF100219/>

In Europe, [[Eurosport]] broadcast live the medal events in biathlon, alpine and cross-country skiing.

In France, [[France Télévisions]] provided live coverage on its website.<ref name=francetv/>

In Italy, [[Sky Sport (Italy)|Sky Sport]] provided record coverage with all games live on five dedicated HD channels.<ref name=SkySportItaly/>

In Australia, [[ABC1]] broadcast the games.<ref name=ABC1/>

In Norway, [[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation|NRK]] broadcast the games. 30 hours of the Games were broadcast live. NRK-sport were critical to parts of the TV production from Vancouver, an issue they've notified to the [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]. Issues such as showing [[Paralympic biathlon|biathlon]] without showing the shooting, and in [[Paralympic cross-country skiing|cross-country skiing]] there were numerous panorama shots of the same mountain area with skiers in the distance, making it hard to follow the progress of the competition. NRK were far more pleased with the production of the [[ice sledge hockey]] and [[wheelchair curling]] events, which they felt reached the same level as the Olympic Games.<ref name=HT100325/>

===Paralympic media awards===
New Zealand's [[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]] won the best broadcast award for their coverage of the Games. Gary Kingston writing for the [[Vancouver Sun]] took the best written category. While Jeff Crow won the best photography category for his picture of [[Shannon Dallas]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/press-release/ipc-honours-good-and-great-paralympic-awards-gala-beijing |title=IPC Honours Good and Great at Paralympic Awards Gala in Beijing |date=10 December 2011 |website=International Paralympic Committee}}</ref>

==Mascots==
{{Main| Miga, Quatchi, Sumi and Mukmuk}}
The mascot of the 2010 Winter Paralympics is Sumi, who has the wings of a thunderbird and the legs of a black bear, accompanied by his marmot sidekick, Mukmuk.

==Legacy==
In the winter sports season following the games, there was a notable increase in winter [[disability sports]] participation throughout [[British Columbia]].<ref name=VS110311/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
* [[Integrated Security Unit]]
* [[Royal Canadian Mint Olympic Coins]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name=VS060608>{{cite news |url= http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/features/2010/story.html?id=005a3342-f276-4791-b191-43131112b52f |author= Joyce, Greg |agency= Canadian Press |work= Vancouver Sun |title= Edward, Sophie raise Paralympics flag, Royal couple rings in 2010 Winter Olympics outside city hall |date= June 8, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070311075747/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/features/2010/story.html?id=005a3342-f276-4791-b191-43131112b52f |archive-date= March 11, 2007 }} (Reprinted at Canada.com)</ref>

<ref name=VS100217>{{cite news |url= <!--https://vancouversun.com/opinion/Legally+blind+skier+embodies+Olympic+ideal/2574986/story.html-->  http://www.checkorphan.org/news/legally-blind-skier-embodies-the-olympic-ideal |title= Legally blind skier embodies the Olympic ideal |work= Vancouver Sun |author= Cernetig, Mirro |date= February 17, 2010 }} (Reprinted at CheckOrphan.org)</ref>

<ref name=TN100217>{{cite news |agency= Associated Press |url= http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1182515&lang=eng_news&cate_img=316.jpg&cate_rss=news_Health |title= Canada's McKeever to ski at Olympics, Paralympics |first= Rachel |last= Cohen |date= February 17, 2010 |access-date= March 17, 2010 |archive-date= June 4, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110604201752/http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1182515&lang=eng_news&cate_img=316.jpg&cate_rss=news_Health |url-status= dead }}</ref>

<ref name=BH100220>{{cite news|work=Boston Herald |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/olympics/columnists/view/20100219blind_olympian_doesnt_believe_in_limits/srvc=home&position=recent |title=Blind Olympian doesn't believe in limits |first=Steve |last=Kelley |date=February 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303123021/http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/olympics/columnists/view/20100219blind_olympian_doesnt_believe_in_limits/srvc%3Dhome%26position%3Drecent |archive-date=March 3, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=VS100318>{{cite news|work=Vancouver Sun |url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Canada+Viviane+Forest+does+trifecta+wins+visually+impaired+downhill+gold/2698348/story.html |title=Paralympic para-alpine skiing: Canada's Viviane Forest does the trifecta, wins visually impaired downhill gold |first=Mike |last=Beamish |date=March 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323011825/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Canada%2BViviane%2BForest%2Bdoes%2Btrifecta%2Bwins%2Bvisually%2Bimpaired%2Bdownhill%2Bgold/2698348/story.html |archive-date=March 23, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=VS100311>{{cite news|work=Vancouver Sun |url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/Para+alpine+star+Viviane+Forest+potential+huge+Games+medal+haul/2672109/story.html |title=Para-alpine star Viviane Forest has potential for huge Games medal haul |first=John |last=Korobanik |date=March 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324090309/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Para%2Balpine%2Bstar%2BViviane%2BForest%2Bpotential%2Bhuge%2BGames%2Bmedal%2Bhaul/2672109/story.html |archive-date=March 24, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=VS100321>{{cite news |work= Vancouver Sun |url=  https://vancouversun.com/sports/Woolstencroft+wins+fifth+gold+2010+Paralympics/2707422/story.html |title= Woolstencroft wins fifth gold medal |agency= CanWest News Service |date= March 21, 2010 }}</ref>

<!-- Broadcaster -->

<ref name="ctvolym-paratv">{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=11882.html |title=Record hours of coverage for Paralympic Games |date=June 16, 2009 |work=CTVOlympics.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130062501/http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid%3D11882.html |archive-date=January 30, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name=CTV100316>{{cite press release |url= http://www.ctvmedia.ca/olympics/releases/release.asp?id=12390&yyyy=2010 |title= Closing Ceremony of 2010 Paralympic Winter Games To Air Live on CTV and RDS, This Sunday |publisher= Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium |date= March 16, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719081607/http://www.ctvmedia.ca/olympics/releases/release.asp?id=12390&yyyy=2010 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name=IPCTV>{{cite web |url= http://www.newdisability.com/paralympics.htm |title= An Overview Of the Paralympic Games |work= Wheelchair |year= 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name=SkyTVNewZealand>{{cite news |url= http://www.paralympics.org.nz/_pdf/newsletters/PNZ_Newsletter_2010_m05.pdf |title= Paralympics New Zealand Newsletter |date= May 2010 |publisher= [[Paralympics New Zealand]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110217221617/http://www.paralympics.org.nz/_pdf/newsletters/PNZ_Newsletter_2010_m05.pdf |archive-date= February 17, 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name=BHF100219>{{cite web |url= http://www.bhfederation.org.uk/federation-news/item/493-bbc-criticised-over-winter-paralympics-tv-plans.html |title= BBC criticised over Winter Paralympics TV plans |work= Bhfederation.org.uk |date= February 19, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120304043743/http://www.bhfederation.org.uk/federation-news/item/493-bbc-criticised-over-winter-paralympics-tv-plans.html |archive-date= March 4, 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name=francetv>{{cite web |url= http://jo-vancouver-2010.francetv.fr/paralympiques/ |title= Paralympiques2010 |work= [[France Télévisions]] |year= 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100410182135/http://jo-vancouver-2010.francetv.fr/paralympiques/ |archive-date= April 10, 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name=SkySportItaly>{{cite web |url= http://olimpiadi.blogosfere.it/2009/06/vancouver-2010-paralimpiadi-in-diretta-su-sky.html |title= Paralimpiadi on SKY |date= June 9, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100215175054/http://olimpiadi.blogosfere.it/2009/06/vancouver-2010-paralimpiadi-in-diretta-su-sky.html |archive-date= February 15, 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name=ABC1>{{cite news |title= ABC1 to broadcast Sochi 2014 Paralympics |url= http://www.paralympic.org/news/abc1-broadcast-sochi-2014-paralympics |publisher= [[International Paralympic Committee|IPC]] |date= February 27, 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name=HT100325>{{cite news |url= http://www.ht.no/incoming/ntb/sport/article345233.ece |title= Oppgitt over elendig Paralympics-produksjon |language= no |work= [[Harstad Tidende]] |date= March 25, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120915234206/http://www.ht.no/incoming/ntb/sport/article345233.ece |archive-date= September 15, 2012 }}</ref>

<!-- Legacy -->

<ref name=VS110311>{{cite news |url= http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=9d3d0b9b-ee29-409a-a6db-9c057122cb9e |title= Participation in disabled sport jumps 10 per cent in B.C. |work= [[The Vancouver Sun]] |first= Gary |last= Kingston |date= March 11, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160105120848/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=9d3d0b9b-ee29-409a-a6db-9c057122cb9e |archive-date= January 5, 2016 }} (Reprinted at Canada.com)</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q641965|c=Category:2010 Winter Paralympics|n=Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408195510/http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/ |date=April 8, 2010 |title=Official Website of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games}}
* [http://www.paralympicsport.tv/ Paralympic Sport TV, web-TV channel of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)]
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408233932/http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/media-centre/media-kits/official-results-book/ |date=April 8, 2010 |title=The Official Results Book for each discipline during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| title = ''[[Winter Paralympic Games|Winter Paralympics]]'' <br /> [[Vancouver]]
| before = [[2006 Winter Paralympics|Turin]]
| after = [[2014 Winter Paralympics|Sochi]]
| years = ''X Paralympic Winter Games'' (2010)
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Paralympic Games}}
{{EventsAt2010WinterParalympics}}
{{NPCin2010WinterParalympics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Winter Paralympics 2010}}
[[Category:2010 Winter Paralympics| ]]
[[Category:Whistler, British Columbia]]
[[Category:2010 in multi-sport events]]
[[Category:International sports competitions hosted by Canada|Paralympics]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Vancouver]]
[[Category:Winter Paralympic Games by year|2010]]
[[Category:2010 in disability sport|2010]]
[[Category:2010 in sports in British Columbia]]
[[Category:March 2010 sports events in Canada]]
[[Category:Winter multi-sport events in Canada]]