2012 Paralympic Nordic Skiing World Cup
I had a great privilege these past two days in Minneapolis. The International Paralympics Committee brought the Nordic Skiing World Cup to Minneapolis for its final two days of competition. Theodore Wirth Park was the host site of this truly inspiring athletic event. It was pretty interesting given we've really have zero snow. I mean zero ! Last year at this time, we had been through 4 snow emergencies and public transit had been shut down completely at least once. This year is a different story.. Living in warmer climates most all of my life, I've never actually seen man made snow. I thought it was pretty cool !
There were some pretty big sponsors for this event. Whole Foods seemed to have provided the warming tent and bathroom areas just below the ski trails. City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation was serving food in the tent which I assume was provided by Whole Foods. Gillette was a big sponsor as well as the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board and Minnesota Academy of Opthamology. I was disappointed in the turn out for this event, but.. it was in the middle of the week and in the middle of the work day for many people.
I was invited by Meet Minneapolis to deliver the closing comments at the dinner and banquet ceremony at Hiltion Garden Inn Thursday evening. After some technical difficulty with their equipment I simply gave the room full of 150 plus people some great advice about visiting Minneapolis. Many of them are here through the weekend visiting. My friends over at BANK Westin agreed to take care of whom ever we brought into their space - Thank you to Neil, Andy, and the rest of the crew that got tromped by 70 or so people around 9pm at BANK. You did a great job and everyone enjoyed a bit of downtown Minneapolis: USA.
We got plenty of photos taken. I'll let those do the rest of the talking..
Everybody has a story. Challenges face every single person - I've been through my fair share. I met a guy tonight that was a professional soccer player. He lost his legs due to a cancer. Yet he presses on competing in sports by using his arms.
We take to the streets ! Nearly 70 in all; we headed down 11th street from the Hilton to Nicollet Mall where I pointed out many of the local establishments, Target Headquarters and other Minneapolis landmarks. It was really was a nice night out - perfect for a tour.
Finally at BANK. $5 appetizers and $4 and $6 drinks. We eventually moved to the local and some people found their way to Brits.
Just another great experience in Minneapolis, MN. Life is what you make it. Look where the arrow is pointing, not where its been.
- L.A. NIk
Ambassador Downtown Minneapolis
