The tough thing about the Paralympics is generating a “buzz.” Following soon after the high of the Olympics people are naturally Olympicked out capped by Team Canada’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Team USA in hockey.
Nonetheless, 0ver 500 athletes from 44 nations are competing in five sports (alpine skiing, biathlon, ice sledge hockey, cross-country skiing and wheelchair curling) at the 10th Paralympic Games in Vancouver. CTV Globe Media and Rogers Media have continued their coverage of the games.
As it stands, half way through, Russia leads all nations with six gold and 15 total medals. Canada is third with two gold and six medals. The Russian team has already tied their compatriots from the Olympics in total medals. I doubt organizers will be “asked” to step down, eh?
All-time Germany leads all nations with 289 medals (101 gold) followed by Austria with 269 (86 gold) and the United States with 237 (91 gold). Canada is 9th with 96 medals; 25 of those gold.
It was nice to see Brian McKeever win gold in visually impaired cross-country skiing 20 km. Recall McKeever was the first Canadian athlete named to both the Paralympic and Olympic teams. He was expected to race in the 50km race when his coach opted to put in a racer who had been doing better at that time.
Talk about a tough break. Watching McKeever in an interview it was clear he was still upset about it but he went out an won gold for Canada nonetheless at the Paralympics.
The games conclude on March 21.
It is truly unfortunate that Brian McKeever missed that opportunity to compete in the Olympic Team Event as well. It would have been a significant historical event to be able to cross the boundaries between the Olympics and Paralympics. I believe that although he was the alternate, he should have been selected to ski that event because as human beings we rise to momentous occasions and he had something to prove on that day. If I was the coach I would value that additional drive over historical half seconds.
I live in Whistler but was unable to watch Brians event live, as I had a previous engagement. Fortunately that previous engagement was to see the Women’s Slalom Standing event that very same day. As a Canadian, I also had the pleasure of watching our Women get Gold and Bronze in person. My daughter also walked away with a ‘Gold Medal Hat’. I invite you to see that story on my Blog at http://blog.virtualwhistler.com/?p=502