The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games begin this weekend in Vancouver with a two-hour opening ceremony airing Saturday at 1 p.m. on NBC. Universal Sports will broadcast a nightly two-hour show for nine straight nights dedicated to the daily competition starting Monday at 6 p.m.
The Paralympic Winter Games is an elite sporting event for accomplished athletic champions and spans five different physical disability groups. Emphasizing the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality, the Paralympic Winter Games showcase participants’ athletic achievements in five sports: Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, sled hockey and wheelchair curling. In Vancouver, a total of 600 athletes from approximately 40 countries will compete.
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David Michaels is the man in charge of NBC/Universal Sports coverage. After doing the Summer Olympics in Beijing, he can’t wait to start the network’s Vancouver broadcasts.
JW » What is the level of competition like at the Paralympic Games?
Michaels » I was so impressed at the intense passion each one of the athletes brings to these Games. Everyone comes here with the idea of winning and they enjoy the competition.
JW » What are some of the events that you are looking forward to covering?
Michaels » Well, the skiing should be outstanding — as it always is at these Games. There are so many countries with deep teams that we should see some great competition in all the major Alpine events. If you have never seen it, you have to see ice sledge hockey. It is an amazing sport and these guys are crazy. It is a great sport to watch.
JW » You have nine days of coverage. How are you planning on working it out?
Michaels » We have the benefit of seeing what happens each day and then leading with either the best event of the day or the most compelling storyline. I am very impressed with the determination that is shown by these men and women and I think that, just like Beijing, we will be able to capture the compelling stories of these Games.
Michaels directed all of the skating events at the Winter Games for NBC and he will be back in our area soon. He directs both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes for NBC.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
