The President of the IPC, Sir Philip Craven, was in the Whistler Athletes' Village this morning to sign the Olympic Truce Wall, amid a formal introduction and celebration which included several distinguished guests like Wilfried Lemke, the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace.

The signing ceremony brought athletes and volunteers together in the Village to promote peaceful resolutions to all conflicts around the globe. The pillars had a mix of Aboriginal artwork and contemporary design which recreate the Vancouver 2010 medals' artwork. The raven on the pillar is also found on the Paralympic medals and is often associated with transformation and healing abilities, representing determination, creativity and wisdom.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games are directly in sync with the Olympic Truce, in that athletes readily set aside their political, religious and social differences in the name of sport. Their sportsmanship and behaviour are examples of how countries and people can build respect and friendship with one another.

"I can easily say that when you watch our athletes in competition, on the podium and off the field of play, their spirit will inspire you," Sir Philip said.

The IPC together with its Gold Patron Allianz put together a special media workshop today inside the Snow Dome where the IPC Exhibition is taking place. The ultimate goal was to inform media on background information about the Paralympic Games, Sport and Movement before the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games begin.

Moderating the media workshop was Paralympian Ambassador Chris Waddell, who interviewed members of the Paralympic Movement including IPC President Sir Philip Craven, Paralympian Ambassador and Medallist Muffy Davis, and winter athletes Katarzyna Rogowiec and Bruce Reding. Waddell began the workshop saying that "what happens to you is not as important as what you do with what happens to you".

The hands-on information included a presentation on the five winter sports, with special details being given on equipment and operation. Polish athlete Rogowiec explained to the media how she had to work hard to figure out her own method of high performance. Paralympian Ambassador Muffy Davis agreed, saying she too had to measure the ability of her balance.

"The problems I had in competition when I was able-bodied became the same problems I had when I became a Paralympic athlete," Davis said. "I finally figured out that everything that was giving me trouble was all in my mind, and had absolutely nothing to do with my body."

The Allianz Media Workshop in the Snow Dome was followed by a special trip atop the mountain slope to demonstrate the usage of the sit-ski.

An Anti-Doping education programme is already showing a high completion rate during the Vancouver Winter Paralympics. For the results, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has congratulated the host country's athletes in the Men's Alpine Skiing and Ice Sledge Hockey for an almost 75% of the team having completed the True Sport Clean Advantage online learning programme. Athletes who have completed the course have a high level of knowledge in their anti-doping rights and responsibilities under the IPC rules.

Education is considered by the CCES to be an essential part of an athlete's Paralympic preparations, keeping to the IPC's rigorous programme and the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee's stated goal of Games that are doping-free.

The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Their mission, to foster ethical sport for all Canadians, is carried out through research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through programs and partnerships with other organizations.

A total of ten teams will be competing in the Wheelchair Curling event at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games after qualification from three previous Championships. The teams include Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. Wheelchair Curling will begin on 13 March, as a mixed ten-team tournament.

The Paralympic Winter Sport of Wheelchair Curling made its debut just four years ago at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, and is now one of the major attractions for Vancouver 2010. Medallists from Torino include Canada (Gold), Great Britain (Silver) and Sweden (Bronze).

A special event this evening brought the history of Paralympic Sport into the spotlight with members of the military community. "Soldier On, True Patriot Love" was a dinner of three nations that celebrated the growth of the Paralympic Movement, and its bright future. IPC Governing Board member Patrick Jarvis was amongst the attendees.

The initiative of "Soldier On" brings injured soldiers from Canada, USA and Great Britain together with their families to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics to attend various competitions between 13-16 March. The aim is to inspire injured or ill personnel to experience confidence and empowerment that comes from Paralympic Sport.

The event also honoured the origins of the Paralympic Movement from Sir Ludwig Guttmann, who organized a sports competition involving World War II veterans with a spinal cord injury in Stoke Mandeville, England.

The official flagbearer list of 44 individuals has been released and shows an all-encompassing representation of male and female athletes, Paralympic Winter sports and wheelchair user/non-user. Representing their countries, the flagbearers will be part of a spectacular Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games to take place tomorrow night. To watch the event live, tune into the IPC's official internet channel www.ParalympicSport.TV, the best place for Canadians to watch the event when it happens! A full list of flagbearers can be found on the IPC website at www.paralympic.org.

Laura Valeanu is 20 years old and the only athlete competing from Romania. From the age of the three, Valeanu has been on the slopes as an Alpine skier. At 16 years old, a motorcycle accident brought her to the Paralympic Winter Sport of Alpine Skiing, where she since has been practicing to make the Paralympic Games. She said Romania has a bigger team for summer sports, so it is an honour for her to be representing her country at the Winter Games, actually for the first time ever. Valeanu will be competing in Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom (Standing category) on 18 March. After the Games, she will briefly return to Romania for holiday, before continue her university studies in Munich, Germany.

Ken Fung is 33 years old and a native of Vancouver. Applying four years ago to be a volunteer for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Ken said he is thrilled that the big event is now underway. As a volunteer, he is working in the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) support area, where he helps all of the NPC Assistants in their various duties. Ken's duty today however, was shovelling the high level of snow that filled the streets leading to the NPC services area. After the Games, Ken will begin his new job in Vancouver for Mountain Equipment Co-op.