Vancouver’s hopes extinguished

The June 24 announcement of the cancelation of the international Paralympic torch relay was especially disappointing for Vancouver.
Unlike the other stops in Sochi, Russia and London, Vancouver was needing the global spotlight on Aug. 28 and Whistler on Aug. 29. The event would have allowed Vancouver to welcome the world to the next Olympics in 2010; when the Beijing Games end Aug. 24, most will only know that London is the 2012 host. It would also have afforded Vancouver a chance at a dress rehearsal for the 2010 torch relay that will begin in November 2009.