Lighting Of The 2010 Olympic Cauldron In Celebration Of Paralympic Sport And Athletes

In honour of sport and summer Paralympic athletes representing Canada on the world’s biggest sports stage in Rio, the Vancouver Convention Centre will light the iconic Vancouver 2010 Cauldron on Wednesday, September 7th, in celebration of the Opening Ceremonies for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

“First lit for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games more than six years ago, the Olympic Cauldron holds significant meaning to British Columbians. Since that time, our province has continued to provide training and support services for future Paralympians and we’re very proud of the many athletes from British Columbia representing Canada at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender.

“I’m honoured to be able to represent Canada and British Columbia on the International stage for the fourth time in my athletic career. For me, the fire that burns bright in the cauldron is symbolic of the passion Olympic and Paralympic athletes have for their sport, the struggles they faced to get where they are and the obstacles they had to overcome to reach their goals. Every four years the world comes together to celebrate sport and the spirit of the Olympics, which is not to have conquered, but to have fought well,” said Minister Michelle Stilwell, Social Development & Social Innovation and four-time Paralympic athlete.

She is the only Canadian female athlete to be a Paralympic champion in two separate summer sports (basketball and athletics).

“The Cauldron represents a legacy of excellence in sport and hosting that continues to inspire both visitors and our local community.” said Ken Cretney, President and CEO of PavCo. “We’re proud to be supporting Team Canada and the 155 athletes competing in Rio by lighting the Cauldron to celebrate the opening of the Paralympic Games.”

The public is invited to come down to Jack Poole Plaza to see the lighting of Vancouver’s Cauldron. In addition, PavCo will show support and pride for our Canadian teams by illuminating the arms of the Cauldron and the surrounding district markers in red and BC Place will also glow in the colours of Canada’s Maple Leaf flag on select nights during the Games including the nights of the Opening Ceremonies.

Cauldron Lighting Schedule:

September 7th, 6:15pm – 8:30pm – Celebrating Team Canada at the start of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Summer Games. There will be a brief celebration and remarks by Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender at 6:15 p.m.