2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver: News and Facts
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Aug 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn about the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, including the sports program, host cities, participating nations, and key facts.
At a Glance
- 1 - A total of 506 athletes competed, up from the 476 who took part in 2006.
- 2 - Argentina, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina all made their Winter Paralympic debuts.
- 3 - The mascot, Sumi, marked the first time the Olympic and Paralympic mascots were introduced together.
- 4 - This was Canada's second time hosting the Paralympics, following the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto.
Topic Definition
- Winter Paralympic Games
The Winter Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities who compete in snow and ice sports, governed by the International Paralympic Committee and held every four years in the same year and host region as the Winter Olympic Games. Competitors are grouped through classification systems that keep events fair by accounting for how different impairments affect performance, and the program centers on disciplines such as alpine and Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, wheelchair curling, and sledge hockey. The 2010 edition, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, was staged in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, from March 12 to 21, 2010, with the Opening Ceremony at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler. It marked the second time Canada had hosted a Paralympic Games.
Overview
The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the 10th Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and 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.
Vancouver had been excited about the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics ever since it was announced in July 2003 that the city would host the winter games. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia. 2010 was the second time Canada has hosted the Paralympics, including the 1976 Summer Paralympics in Toronto.
Vancouver saw the 2010 games (Olympics and Paralympics) as a chance to build on its history as a world-class city that began in 1986 with the World's Fair. On June 7, 2006, Prince Edward, as a member of the Canadian Royal Family, and patron of the British Paralympic Association, raised the flag of the Paralympic Games outside Vancouver City Hall.
Five Sports were on the Games Program
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Wheelchair curling
- Sledge Hockey
The sporting events during the 2010 winter Paralympics were shared between Vancouver and Whistler. The mascot, Sumi, an animal guardian spirit with the wings of the Thunderbird and legs of a black bear, is the first time the Olympic and Paralympic mascots were introduced at the same time.
Canadian Host Cities for 2010 Paralympic Games
Vancouver
Vancouver was the Host City of the 2010 Winter Games. It is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty and is recognized as being one of the world's most livable cities, renowned for its innovative programs and leadership in sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Richmond
Richmond is a unique, culturally diverse city, close to both downtown Vancouver and the US border. It is home to the spectacular Richmond Olympic Oval, site of the speed skating competitions for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Surrey
One of British Columbia's fastest-growing cities, Surrey is home to the Games Preparation Center - a facility that will play a key role in preparing volunteers and ceremony participants in the staging of a successful 2010 Winter Games.
Whistler
Whistler was named the Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It was the fulfillment of a dream a long time in the making. Since then, Whistler has been busy preparing to welcome the world. Whistler has the largest ski area in North America and is well-positioned as the Host Mountain Resort of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains offer world-class skiing facilities, including new Olympic and Paralympic venues, an intimate, pedestrian-friendly village and a community pride that welcomes spectators, skiers, and lovers of winter activities.
Tickets to the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics were sold in three Phases.
Phase 1, was open to Canadian residents from October 3 - November 7, 2008, and sold out.
International buyers were able to purchase tickets in early 2009.
2010 Paralympics Facts
- Serbia made its Winter Paralympics debut as a distinct NPC, following its split with Montenegro.
- Latvia, which participated in Turin for the 2006 Winter Paralympics, did not send athletes to Vancouver.
- A total of 506 athletes participated in the Games - An increase from the 476 athletes who participated in 2006.
- Argentina and Romania took part in the Winter Paralympic Games for the first time, as did Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the 2010 Winter Paralympics held
The 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, with events shared between the two locations.
When did the 2010 Winter Paralympics take place
The games ran from March 12 to March 21, 2010, following the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in the same region.
What sports were held at the 2010 Winter Paralympics
The program featured five sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing, wheelchair curling, and sledge hockey.
What is sledge hockey in the Paralympics
Sledge hockey, also called para ice hockey, is a fast contact sport in which players sit on sledges and use two sticks to move and shoot, following rules adapted from ice hockey.
Who governs the Winter Paralympic Games
The International Paralympic Committee governs the Winter Paralympic Games and works with the local organizing committee and the IOC for each edition.
How do athletes qualify for the Winter Paralympics
Athletes qualify through their national bodies by meeting sport-specific standards and completing a classification process that groups them by the impact of their impairment.
Which city hosted the Winter Paralympics after Vancouver 2010
Sochi, Russia, hosted the next Winter Paralympic Games in 2014, following Vancouver in 2010.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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