Vancouver prepares for Paralympics

VANCOUVER — After a wild 17-day party, the cauldron has been extinguished, the traffic barricades are coming down, and the throngs of tourists are leaving Vancouver.

As the Vancouver Organizing Committee prepares for the Paralympics, it says the city should enjoy a little down time before the next big event begins in just 10 days.

“Given the potential of the Canadian Paralympic team and the exciting performances ahead, we think a little break in the excitement between the two Games is a healthy thing,” said the organizing committee’s vice-president of communications Renee Smith-Valade.

Organizing committee chief executive officer John Furlong is flying to Ottawa Tuesday for the launch of the Paralympics torch relay, which will involve 600 torchbearers through three provinces.

And there is lots of work to do at home before the torch is lit again March 12.

“Right now we’re decommissioning a whole bunch of places. We’re reorganizing four venues and getting the village ready for Paralympic athletes in Vancouver and in Whistler,” Furlong said.

Vancouver Sun