By Joy Simmons
While the Internet is boosting awareness of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics, cheap tickets and unprecedented television coverage are allowing everyone a chance to see what these Games are all about.
'This type of coverage is historical,' said Joy Kohnken, Paralympics media spokesperson.
This is the first time since the Paralympics began all of the data for all of the Paralympics can be found in one place and is available to the public.
During the Games, the Web site will offer real-time results and background information on the athletes, flame runners and the Paralympic events.
Although not as interactive as the Internet, A&E will offer a more in-depth look at the athletes and the evolution of the Paralympics.
A&E will also broadcast one hour of sports highlights each night of the Games.
'When you see the Paralympic Games, if you''re a sports fan to begin with, you''re hooked in a new way because they are world class events,' Kohnken said.
Within a three-week period, the Paralympic website had a 277 percent increase in visitors. Recently, ticket sales for the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics surpassed the 100,000 milestone.
Tickets, in comparison with Olympic tickets, are incredibly cheap, said Jenni Oberan, Paralympics promotions coordinator.
For the sporting events, prices range from five to 10 dollars per person.
Oberan said technology has really helped promote the Games and ticket sales.
'It''s not about making money; it''s about creating awareness,' Oberan said.
They are promoting the Games in school assemblies through youth groups and other activities. She said they realize that there are many large families who were unable to afford to attend Olympic events.
'You don''t want to give tickets away for free because that would cheapen the athlete,' Oberan said. 'We wanted everyone to participate in the Paralympics.'
There are 235,000 tickets for 100 medal events in three sporting events: nordic skiing, alpine skiing and ice-sledge hockey as well as Opening and Closing Ceremonies tickets.
Oberan said the Paralympics have the same elements as the Olympics, which include the parade of athletes, the flame run, and the phenomenal athletes.
Daren Reschke, 23, a senior from Salt Lake City majoring in economics is a promotions assistant for the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics.
He said the Paralympics are targeted toward community involvement.
Most of the people he''s talked to who were in Sydney during the Summer Olympics felt the Paralympics were the highlight of their Games experience.
After the Olympics were over in Sydney there was a big letdown Reschke said.
'In the community they felt like they weren''t as involved as they had hoped,' he said. 'The Paralympics gave them a chance to go to some events after the world left and really enjoy it.'