The pride of Vancouver
February 26, 2006 · By Peter Rempel
“Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, a quadriplegic, accepted the Olympic flag from Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino — and, in a demonstration of can-do spirit, spun his mechanized wheelchair to make the giant 16-foot flag flutter.”
“Sometime between the Felliniesque Clowns and Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne in tonight’s closing ceremonies of the Winter Games, Sam Sullivan will spin about the stage in a mechanized wheelchair, trying the best a quadriplegic can to wave the Olympic flag. He will embody the spirit of the Olympics and its future.
built into his wheelchair so he could wave the (huge) Olympic flag as is traditional – apparently he practiced in deserted parking lots at night. (I still think a Canadarm would have been cool though). Boy did he ever wave it and the crowd went nuts.The Politic has some media reaction. The Governor-General (hot, as always) seemed to be enjoying herself immensely – was sceptical at first but she certainly beats her predecessor for public appeal (and looks and dress sense). I wonder if VANOC will be worried about
That ROCKED so hard!
I bet you the paralympic athletes watching were duly inspired as they get ready to compete in Torino.
Great job Mayor Sullivan!
Should have been a Warrior Flag