Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan to be the First Quadriplegic to Accept Olympic Flag in Torino

Over the past month, Kris Krug of Bryght, Robert Scales of Raincity Studios and various other Vancouver companies have been working together with New Media BC and Leading Edge BC to coordinate a technology symposium at the BC Canada Place next month during the Torino Olympics in Italy.

This morning as part of my first assignment for Urban Vancouver, I attend Vancouver Mayor, Sam Sullivan and Vancouver 2010 CEO, John Furlong's announcement at the Vancouver City Hall.

In just one month, Sam Sullivan is to accept the Olympic Flag at the closing of the Torino Olympics, making him the first quadriplegic to have such honor.

I managed to video the announcement on my PDA2K while Kris Krug took some great pictures of Sam and John.

Here’s an extract from the official press release

The flag ceremony protocol begins with Torino Mayor Sergio Chiamparino returning the Olympic flag to Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Dr. Rogge will then present Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, the only elected Canadian official in the Closing Ceremony, with the flag, symbolizing the official beginning of Vancouver's responsibility to host the world in 2010.

Mayor Sullivan is then required by IOC tradition to wave the flag back and forth eight times. Because of the physical challenges to Mayor Sullivan inherent in his participation, a number of innovative accommodations are underway, including a custom-made holster on the Mayor's motorized wheelchair and the installation by the Torino Organizing Committee of a customized elevator within the stage.

"I'm greatly honoured to represent Vancouver and Canada in Torino," said Mayor Sullivan. "We are thrilled to be the host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and invite the world to our beautiful and progressive city and country."

"Mayor Sullivan will be acting on behalf of all Canadians, and I can't think of a better person to represent this nation's spirit, determination and commitment to ability over disability, said Vancouver 2010 CEO John Furlong."

Upon the Mayor's return to Vancouver the Oslo flag will be put on public display in Vancouver City Hall and a replica flag will be raised outside City Hall on Tuesday, February 28. The flag raising event is just one of the activities planned in Vancouver to celebrate the flag handover. For more details, visit Vancouver.ca.

Great Shots from KK


Picture by Kris Krug

More information to come over the next few weeks, it looks like we are to cover more events from both Vancouver and Torino.