International Paralympic Day in Vancouver
Author: Canadian Paralympic Committee - Contact: -
Published: 2009/07/11 - Updated: 2015/03/18
Topic: 2010 Vancouver Paralympics - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Canadian Paralympic Committee CPC hosted a dramatic display of Paralympic sport against the backdrop of Vancouver's urban skyline.
Introduction
Canadian Paralympic Committee marks International Paralympic Day with a display of high performance sport high on a roof-top in Vancouver.
Focus
2010 Paralympic hopefuls and Summer Paralympians celebrate Canada's 1097 medals from Paralympic Games
On the eve of International Paralympic Day, and with exactly eight months to go before the start of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) hosted a dramatic display of Paralympic sport, against the backdrop of Vancouver's urban skyline.
Members of Canada's world class Men's Wheelchair Basketball team demonstrated the skill that has netted them a place on the podium for the last three Paralympic Games, with two gold medals and a silver.
The display of high performance sport also included Wheelchair Tennis, with an international dual between Canadian Paralympian Sarah Hunter and German Paralympian Kai Schrameyer.
"With the unprecedented attention the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games are enjoying, Canadian's are finally getting the opportunity to experience the athleticism and competitiveness of Paralympic sport," said Carla Qualtrough, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Canadian Paralympians have been competing in Paralympic Games since 1968, and have won 404 gold, 338 silver and 355 bronze medals. Their achievements have made Canada the 4th most successful Paralympic nation ever, something every Canadian should be very proud of."
Paralympians who attended the event included, from Wheelchair Basketball, Jaimie Borisoff, Robert (Bo) Hedges, Marni Abbott-Peter, Patrick Anderson and Janet McLachlan. From para-alpine skiing Paralympian Karolina Wisniewska was joined by Josh Dueck preparing to compete in his first Paralympic Games. Wheelchair curlers, Paralympian Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbor were also on-hand.
The Paralympic athletes were joined by the Minister of State for the Olympics, Paralympics and ActNow BC, the Honorable Mary McNeil, as well as Ross MacDonald, newly named to the Canadian Men's Basketball team and Erik Hagreen, an able-bodied athlete who represents BC on the Provincial Wheelchair Basketball team.
International Paralympic Day celebrations will continue with a Wheelchair Basketball game between the German and Dutch Women's National Teams in Wheelchair Basketball and a Long Jump competition at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.
Closer to home, Paralympian Brad Lennea and 2010 Paralympic Hopefuls Tyler Mosher and Darryl Neighbor will be joined by Sumi in Whistler Village Square on Saturday July 11, 2009. From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the athletes will be hosting demonstrations of the sports that will be contested at the Paralympic Winter Games, and providing the opportunity for the public to have a go themselves.