Now that all 11 athletes and three guides have arrived in Whistler for the Alpine and Cross-Country ski events - the two sports Australia is competing in from the five on the Vancouver program - the team's `Welcome Ceremony' could officially take place.

Australia's Chef de Mission Michael Hartung shared the stage with Sweden's team leader as `Advance Australia Fair' was played followed by the Swedish national anthem.

Then the Paralympic Games mascot, Sumi, which is a mythical part-bear, part-beaver, part-bird creature derived from the native Canadian Indian word `Sumesh' meaning ``guardian spirit'', danced with the Australian athletes and posed for team photos.

Chef de Mission Michael Hartung said the welcome ceremony carried great significance for any of the 44 nations competing in Vancouver.

``The welcome ceremony is the formal introduction to the Games - the official start of the Games for us if you like,'' Hartung said.

``So it's exciting to know the Games are upon us and we've got a group of athletes ready to go and ski for the nation and hopefully achieve success.

``I'm very proud of this team - the athletes and staff we've brought over here.''

Hartung admitted there might be some ``friendly rivalry'' between the Paralympians and Australian Olympians, who had their best Winter Games yet with two gold and a silver last month.

``I don't think we feel the pressure to do well just because the Olympians did well," Hartung said. "Instead it fills us with a lot of confidence to try and do the same job"

Source - APC

tags: olympic, whistler, athletes, village, australian, flag, alpine, cross, country, skiing

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