With just over 100 days to go until the start of the Paralympic Winter Games, The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee has begun its quest to find Paralympic torchbearers.

Beginning Friday, Vanoc invites all Canadian residents aged 13 or older by March 3, 2010, to apply at www.YouGottaBeHere.ca.

Applicants are asked to describe in their submissions why they want to be a torchbearer and how they "embody the Paralympic values" in their everyday lives. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 pm PT on January 6, 2010.

"As the provincial host of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, British Columbia wants to welcome all Canadians to apply today for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to proudly carry the Paralympic Flame," said Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC, in a release.

"We're looking for everyday people who embody the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration, and equality in their everyday life - much like the world's best winter Paralympians."

Also Friday, Vanoc named one of the first torchbearers to carry the Paralympic Flame.

Rick Ball, a 44-year-old amputee runner from Orillia, Ont., will help to start the 10-day relay at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ont.

"To carry the Paralympic Flame is an incredible honour, especially when I think about how this will be the same light at the end of the relay that welcomes all of the world's great winter Paralympians to reach their dreams here in Canada in 2010," said Ball, who has set three world records in his sport in just six months.

"When I took up competitive running two years ago I never dreamed I could be a part of something like this. I know it's often said that dreams can come true if you work hard, but these athletes . . . they're living proof of this," he added.

Bell competes using a curved prosthetic shaped like a bent ski and hopes to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic Flame will visit community celebration sites in Ottawa, ON (March 3), Quebec City (March 4) and Toronto (March 5), as well as Victoria and Esquimalt (March 6), Squamish (March 7), Whistler (March 8), Lytton and Hope (March 9), Maple Ridge (March 10), and Vancouver (March 10, 11 and 12) in British Columbia.

On March 11, 2010, the relay will turn into a 24-hour event through Vancouver's downtown core surrounding Robson Square as part of a day-long celebration of culture and sport counting down the final moments until the magical Opening Ceremony of the Games in front of tens of thousands at BC Place.

In addition to those selected through the public torchbearer contest, Vanoc announced in a release that the Government of Canada, Coca-Cola, RBC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Forces' Soldier On program will select "other worthy members of the public" to carry the torch.

"Each and every one of the 600 torchbearers on this relay will be individual sparks adding to the brightness of the Paralympic Flame as it travels towards Vancouver," said John Furlong, VANOC's Chief Executive Officer. "We encourage all Canadians and people from around the world to follow the flame's path and join us in a celebration of the remarkable achievements of Paralympic athletes and of all that is possible if you dare to dream."