By Monika Becker

In our most recent poll on this and the Blenz Community site we asked our readers “Do you think the Paralympic Games should be held at the same time as the Olympic Games?” The results are in: Yes 63% versus No 37%. Interesting!

Paralympic Symbol

Almost two thirds of voters think these largest sports competitions for people with the highest athletic ability belong together. The name "Paralympics" actually supports that point of view: "Paralympics" has its roots in the Greek prefix "para-" (in this context, "beside" or "alongside"); hence "Paralympics" translates into "alongside the Olympics", and may also be interpreted as "Parallel Olympics".

The New Zealand Winter Games in August 2009 embraced the concept of “Parallel Athletic Competition” by mixing the timetables for able-bodied and disabled athletes. They were the first major event where adaptive athletes competed on the same course on the same day as able-bodied athletes. So the idea of athletic inclusion has already been realised on a smaller scale.  Why not take it to the next level?

Olympic Flag

Benefits of holding the Olympics and Paralympics at the same time could be amongst others:

• Greater momentum for these two events ultimately raising the profile of both competitions
• Higher integration and overall efficiency in the areas of organisation, publicity and operations
• Message of inclusiveness

I think that delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a combined event – we could call it “The Joint Games” – would pose an amazing opportunity. As in other cases, when two or more parties put their intentions and energies together, something much bigger is being born than the plain sum total of the individual components.

Can you imagine the degree of inspiration able-bodied and disabled athletes could draw from each other and share with the world? And how about stretching the imagination even further to the possibility of disabled athletes competing with able-bodied athletes, at least in a few disciplines? Is that a possibility for the future?

Looking at our world, it’s time for more inclusion and less separation on a larger scale. One joint showcase for the athletic values of hope, excellence, respect, harmony, friendship and equality would be a milestone in human history. Combining the Olympic motto ‘Faster – Higher – Stronger’ with the Paralympic ‘Spirit in Motion’ would establish a solid foundation for athletic excellence, global connection and human inspiration beyond anything known before. People seem to be ready for it.

So which host city will be the first one to dare and hold “The Joint Games”?

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialities is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also a strategic marketing expert, and managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye.  EM: judy@judybishop.ca

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

During the Olympics' 17 days, the Robson Square celebration site saw a staggering average of 75,000-100,000 daily visitors for concerts & entertainment, with approx 700 of them riding the zipline, 1,00o people skating, and 4,500 - 5,000 daily guests at the B.C. Pavilion and free admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery - daily.

Urban planners have long griped that Vancouver lacked a central gathering place, in the European style.  I think the new and improved Robson Square may well serve as our downtown heart - especially if you throw in lasers, explosions and flamethrowers !

Given the smash success of this celebration site, the BC Government is wisely re-opening the Robson Square free celebrations - including fireworks, light show and the Zipline - for a second run, during the Paralympics, March 12th through 21st.

I was fortunate to gain access to the BC Pavillion's upper deck to shoot a spectacular collection of images over the 17 days of the Games ...

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye

By Marc Smith

It’s been a couple of days since the Olympic flame was extinguished here in Vancouver and the city is quietly getting back to normalcy.

I’m exhausted! I was out every single day enjoying the energy and excitement that was so evident throughout our city. I’m so proud that Vancouver and Canada represented in a way that no one saw coming. Here are a couple of cool links to stories from some international press that I think sums up how the world felt we did.

Brian Williams (NBC) Leaving behind a thank you note

Bill Plaschke (LA TImes) Canada is a Winter Games Wonderland

So to wrap up my 17 day experience here’s a short video.

I promise to be just as excited and proudly Canadian for the Paralympics and I look forward to watching those athletes excel and reach for Gold.

Marc Smith is Vancouver based event planner and will be reporting daily on various events happening around Vancouver. http://twitter.com/amuseconsulting