CTV’s decision to broadcast the Paralympic opening ceremonies live in British Columbia is a positive story for the Games, according to Sam Sullivan, Canada’s Paralympic ambassador.
The media consortium’s original plan to air the ceremony a day later was overturned due to high demand from British Columbians, something Sullivan sees as a plus for the Games.
“I think the TV managers were surprised by the kind of public interest in the Paralympics,” said Sullivan. “That is a real powerful statement made by the public that they’re very interested in the (Games).”
The change can even be seen in the streets, according to Sullivan, as people are starting to show more and more enthusiasm.
“I was just taking the Canada line, and a guy came running up to me and asked me who won the (sledge-hockey) game. When you get people on the street wanting to know who won the game, that shows we’ve really turned the corner.”
He said the opening ceremonies were a great start.
“I was really pleased. And I was especially impressed by the crowd. (It was) such an enthusiastic, boisterous crowd, everybody was clearly loving it.”
