Nearly 5,000 performers filled the stage at the BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, thrilling a sold-out stadium to start the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. With the theme "One Inspires Many", the Opening Ceremony was a celebration of ability, courage and the human spirit, bringing many distinguished guests to the event.

Each country entered the stadium soon after a dance routine which involved hundreds of volunteers dressed in colourful clothes. One athlete from each country was chosen as the flagbearer, leading each team onto the main stage area with a cheering crowd to welcome them. A total of 506 winter athletes from 44 countries are participating at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, and quickly added to the enthusiastic crowd at the Opening Ceremony.

Audience members were each given a bag full of various interactive elements to the ceremony, including a pom-pom full of orange lights and a luminescent coloured gold card. The sold out crowd had the opportunity with these elements to participate in the celebration, creating a high-energy atmosphere that became Vancouver's welcome.

Other performers during the Opening Ceremony included well-known Canadian singers and performers which marked an exciting beginning to the Vancouver Paralympics. The event ended with hundreds of dancers flooding the stage, and confetti pieces fired into the air.

Broadcasted live on www.ParalympicSport.TV, as well as on outdoor big-screen televisions at the city of Vancouver's LiveCity celebration site, Canadians had the chance to be part of the spectacular event and experience the excitement.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games begin in Whistler and Vancouver tomorrow, with events in Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling.

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.

Hidden among the trees in the forest just a few kilometres outside of Whistler Village, the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Austria officially opened its home to the Paralympic Family. The NPC Austria headquarters during the Games is labelled as a "passive" house, which means it does not consume energy the way it is constructed and aims at being ecologically friendly.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony last night saw distinguished guests attending, including NPC Austria President Maria Rauch-Kallat, the Austrian Paralympic Team, Austrian Ambassador in Canada Dr. Werner Brandstetter, Honorary Consul David Haber, Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed, and other representatives from the Paralympic Family, including individuals from the Czech Republic, Croatia and Germany, as well as IPC representatives.

Open daily through 20 March from 11:00-24:00, the purpose of the Austria House is to have a meeting place that shares the excitement of the Vancouver Paralympics, with an invitation for all guests to visit.

The Paralympic Torch Relay had its final day today, finishing a 24-hour event which lit up the final Paralympic Torch at BC Place during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games. The full day saw the Paralympic Flame being carried and passed between Torchbearers for 24 hours. Beginning near Robson Square on 11 March in downtown Vancouver, the lower level of the GE Plaza saw a series of celebrations for the event, with a video screen showing highlights from various editions of Paralympic Games. Visitors also had the chance to watch and try out different Paralympic sports, including Wheelchair Curling.

One of the Paralympic Torchbearers during the 24-hour event was Laurel Crosby, who has an extensive history of supporting the Paralympic Movement. She has been part of the leadership which carried the Canada Team into the Paralympic Games in Seoul (1988) as Wheelchair Team Manager and in Barcelona (1992) as Chef de Mission. Crosby has also served as President of the National Paralympic Committee of Canada.

Akira Kano is 23 years old and from Nagano, Japan. Kano said that he likes speed, the mountain and nature, and that they all have given him the inspiration since he was 11 years old to practice the sport. Kano unfortunately crashed during the Giant Slalom event at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, but he said that he is ready to take on the slope again in Whistler with more strength. Kano will be competing in all events of Alpine Skiing (Downhill, Super Combined, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom) in the Sitting category, starting with the Downhill tomorrow, 13 March. After the Games he will return to Nagano and continue training, alongside working as a computer programmer.

Sarah Lofts is 26 years old and originally from the Toronto area. She decided to volunteer for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games after being inspired by a friend of hers who uses a wheelchair and practices sport. She was interested to be among the Paralympic athletes and experience the elite competitions. As a volunteer, she works in the Athletes' lounges, where athletes will go in their free time to play video games, pool and socialize. After the Games, Sarah will return to the Toronto area where she will continue working part time at a hospital.