Caley Denton, vice-president of ticketing and consumer marketing for the Vancouver Organizing Committee, said Friday that Paralympic ticket purchasers will see 'inspiring and incredible' performances. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Strong demand for 2010 Paralympic tickets saw the gold-medal sledge hockey game nearly sell out on the first day.

Sales were steady Wednesday after tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. PT, with orders coming from across the country, the Olympic organizing committee said.

Halifax resident Barbara O'Shea was among the first 100 people to log on to the Olympic and Paralympic website to buy tickets.

She scored seats for herself and her sister to see sledge hockey, curling and alpine skiing.

O'Shea said she had to choose between attending the Olympics or Paralympics, and she chose the latter.

"I think it's really exciting, the sports that people do, being blind or disabled or living in a wheelchair," said O'Shea, whose name was provided by the organizing committee.

"I think that's really exciting, and I just want to support them."

Prices for Paralympic sporting events start at $15 and top out at $175 for the opening ceremonies.

There are also group rates available.

The tickets come with the same service charges as Olympic tickets, which include access to public transit.

"We're seeing good demand, we've been really pleased with it," said Caley Denton, vice-president of ticketing for the organizing committee.

70% of tickets go to public

Organizers won't say how many of the 250,000 Paralympic tickets available are actually on sale during this first round.

While 70 per cent of those are guaranteed to go to the public, 30 per cent are reserved for Paralympic officials and sponsors.

Closing ceremony tickets won't be put on sale until organizers finalize the details around the ceremony in Whistler, B.C.

Existing tickets will remain on sale until just before the second round of Olympic ticket sales in Canada, which begin June 6.

Paralympic tickets will go on sale outside of Canada later this year, though the second phase of sales for Olympic tickets in the U.S. begins next week.

O'Shea, a retired occupational therapist, said she hopes awareness of the Paralympics grows as the Games get closer.

"I hope there's lots of publicity, because I don't think a lot of people know what it is and don't understand how exciting it is, and what great athletes these people are," she said.

The 2010 Paralympics will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., from March 12 to 21.