By Duncan Mackay in Whistler
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

March 19 - Officials here have promised that the Closing Ceremony of the Paralympics on Sunday will go-ahead however bad the weather.



The event will be broadcast live across Canada from Whistler Medals Plaza, an outdoor venue that faces the possibility of snow or rain, unlike the Olympics when the Closing Ceremony was held indoors at BC Place in Vancouver.

But the Ceremony's executive producer Patrick Roberge claimed his team is prepared for any weather conditions.

He said: "If it is wet, we want everyone to come ready for wet.

"With glowing hearts, we're going to persevere no matter what the weather is."

The 70 minute event is also due to be broadcast live in Russia, the host of the next Paralympics in Sochi in 2014, and in France, Germany and South Korea where Annecy, Munich and Pyeongchang respectively are all bidding for the 2018 Games. 

A combination of rain and snow is forecast for the event.

Roberge said: "It would be great if it was just a light dusting of snow - it would make the show look spectacular.

"We are prepared and ready for any weather.

"I think Expo 86 was my good training when we did 40 days and 40 nights in the pouring rain."

More than 500 Paralympic athletes from 44 countries will be taking part in the Ceremony which will include the athletes passing through Whistler Village before they enter the medal plaza.

Quebec folk band La Bottine Souriante and Whistler Youth, which includes 45 singers from the Sea to Sky corridor, will perform to coincide with the beginning of the athletes' parade.

Whistler resident Ali Milner will sing "O Canada" as a huge Canadian flag will be unfurled above.

The Ceremony was initially planned to begin at 6pm., but it was moved an hour later so the entertainment can be presented at night.

Roberge said: "We do prefer to have it darker so we can use our theatrical-technical abilities in the venue."

The Paralympic Flag will also be lowered and passed on to Sochi 2014.

Roberge said: "We're thrilled to honour and celebrate the achievements of the 2010 Paralympic athletes with all of Canada during the Closing Ceremony.

"The ceremony brings to a close the 2010 Games, and, in a deliberate departure from the grandeur of the previous Games Ceremonies, Whistler's small-town, close knit community spirit is symbolic of every community across this country.

"Because this is the last ceremony we want everyone to have that moment where they can celebrate and just bring a nice finish to what has been a fantastic Games both here and in Vancouver."


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