WORLD CUP aerials champion Jacqui Cooper was so inspired by Monday’s victory at the next Olympic site, Cypress Mountain, that she is considering continuing on to her fourth Winter Games at the age of 37.

Cooper has never publicly expressed a desire to go to the Vancouver Games in 2010, but she admitted she was tempted after she secured a commanding victory under trying circumstances.

It was an excellent result for the team as Cooper and teammate Lydia Lassila (nee Ierodiaconou) scored a quinella after the event was delayed for four hours because of fog and heavy snow.

“I am at a crossroads in my career,” Cooper said. “Doing well on this course makes me want to continue for another two years. I am on the fence at the moment, but I am going to talk to the Olympic Winter Institute in March, and we are going to make a call in April, and I also have to involve my fiancé, but he’s very supportive.

More here

When you have snowy weather on Christmas Day, that’s what you call a white Christmas. Not all countries have the chance to experience that. In the United Kingdom, they seldom have snow on Christmas, except in the northern parts and the mountains; but the people in Canada have great possibility of experiencing a white Christmas every year. Same with the countries in Northern Europe like in Scandinavia, the Baltic States and Northern Russia.

How much snow should there be on Christmas Day to consider it a white Christmas? If a single snowflake is seen falling in the United Kingdom within the 24 hours of December 25th, they can officially declare it a “White Christmas”, not needing a significant quantity of snow. But in other countries, they usually require a specified quantity of snow that has settled.

However, there are some countries, like Ireland, which have remote chance of every having early winter snow, let alone a white Christmas. This is because of their warm and wet climate. They did experience a white Christmas, but the last official one recorded was in 2004.

There are very unlikely white Christmases that have occurred in New Orleans and Houston, Texas (their first ever snowy Christmas). This was also in 2004. One can never account for the future. You never know for sure when weather changes take place. You can have a totally dry day one Christmas, and have a snow storm the next year.

But whatever the kind of day, there are many reasons to be happy on such a cheery season. It’s not about the snow, it’s not about having a white Christmas, but it’s all about the birth of Christ and spending your time with your family and loved ones. It doesn’t matter if your Christmas Day is dry or wet, warm or cold, gloomy or not, as long as you have beloved companions with you. That’s more than what snow at Christmas can do for you!

Perhaps some of you just want to experience snow falling on your face during that very special day or you would like to see and feel a snowflake in your palm. If you have the means, you are free to go to another country. Yes, you can pack your bags and go somewhere where you can have all the snow you want, but there’s truly no place like home!

The Olympic Village to be built for the 2010 Winter Paralympics and 2010 Winter Olympics will hosted in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A 600,000 sq ft (56,000 m²) village with over 600 units will be able to accommodate over 2,800 athletes, coaches, and officials.

The Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village (WOPV) will be located in Whistler, British Columbia and will also serve both the 2010 Winter Paralympics and 2010 Winter Olympics. Smaller than the VOC it will accommodate 2,400 athletes, coaches, and officials with 450 beds made especially with wheelchair access. Site preparation began in 2006 with construction starting in March 2007 and is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2009.