Why you should be excited for the Paralympics

For some people, the Paralympics might seem like a lesser version of the Olympic Games. Not so at all. The Paralympics are as fine of an example of elite sports as you'll ever see. There are many reasons to be excited for the Paralympic Games in Vancouver. If anything, these two events are a part of each other. The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are one amazing, unifying, sporting event.

Get excited Canada (and the rest of the world). Round one was amazing, it left us with dozens of tear inducing stories, and round two is about to start. Here are 5 reasons to get excited for the Paralympic Games:

1. The Olympics were an amazing warm up: We experienced emotions related to sport over the 17 days of the Olympic Games that haven't been seen by our planet in decades. The Olympics were amazing from the opening ceremonies, to the slightly corny, yet still entertaining closing ceremony. And everything in between, well, the athletics were absolutely mind blowing.

2. Canada vs. USA Part 3: So far, the season series between Canada and the USA in Olympic Hockey is 2-0 Canada. Does that mean the Canadian Sledge Hockey team is guaranteed gold? No way. This will be another epic battle between dominant forces. Led by Canadian flag bearer and captain Jean Labonte, Canada will be desperate to win another gold on home soil. Especially if they face off against Team USA.

3. Brian McKeever will finally get to perform: After making the Canadian Olympic team and preparing for the Olympic Games, Brian McKeever was told the night before his cross country race that he would not be competing. Once hoping to become the only athlete ever to compete in both the Olympic Games and Paralympics, the legally blind cross country skier now must focus on winning gold in only the Paralympics after having his Olympic dream crushed.

4. The athletes are an inspiration: You can't watch the Paralympics without feeling at least a little inspired. These athletes don't see what they've been given as a "disibility." What they show is their amazing athletic ability. And personally, it makes me often feel like a whiner, or like I should be doing more with what I have. There is nothing about the Paralympics that is low calibre. Top athletes, using every ounce of their ability to compete.

5. There is a unique quality to Paralympic sports: The Paralympics offer several unique variations to regular sports that are both amazing and entertaining. Sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, and watching downhill skiers fly down the hill on modified skis. There is no other time of year, when these variations of sport are highlighted on such a national and international scale.

Personally, I think the Paralympics are going to be every bit as special as the Olmypic Games were. Follow Instant Replay on Twitter for Paralympics updates.

Let the games begin.