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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release March 9, 2010 |
Ministry of Healthy
Living and Sport
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INSPIRING TORCHBEARERS LEAD PARALYMPIC FLAME’S JOURNEY
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay visits Vancouver’s Riley Park and Maple Ridge tomorrow and the torchbearers selected by the Province of British Columbia are ready to carry the flame with pride during Day 8 of the relay’s 10-day inspirational journey, Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC, announced today.
“The spirit and enthusiasm for our athletes, and the first ever Paralympic Winter Games in Canada, has been amazing – from the response to our public torchbearer contest to the individuals chosen to carry the flame,” said McNeil. “The Province is honoured to be a supporting partner in the Paralympic Torch Relay, and we are proud to highlight this momentous event through the people that will make it come to life.”
“We are very fortunate to have this scale of celebration visit our city again,” said Rob Howard, MLA for Richmond Centre. “We are very proud of our athletes and how they represent us as a nation and when these Paralympic Winter Games begin I am sure we will witness some amazing performances from our Paralympic athletes.”
From November 2009 to January 2010, the Province organized a national contest as part of the Paralympic Torch Relay’s public torchbearer application program. The contest provided an opportunity for Canadians to be part of the experience and support the ideals of the Paralympic movement: courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The contest was a huge success, with a large volume of entries and many inspiring stories submitted.
“The amazing support and excitement from communities like ours is truly the backbone of these Winter Games,” said Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “We lined up to show our commitment for Olympic torchbearers, and we will be lining up again to cheer on and celebrate our Paralympic torchbearers as well.”
The torchbearers involved in tomorrow’s segment include Wayne Phillips and Tracey Cramer, both random-draw winners of the Province’s contest.
Wayne Phillips has participated in endurance-focused sports for 35 years and has a long list of athletic accomplishments, despite his physical disability following a hit-and-run accident while competing in a cross-USA bicycle race. He has sailed competitively, set records in cycling between Vancouver and Halifax, and often participates in wheelchair races and tours. Carrying the flame in the Paralympic Torch Relay is Phillips’ way of contributing to the Paralympic experience.
Tracey Cramer is an aspiring Kindergarten teacher who wants to show her future students that with determination you can accomplish anything. In her contest application, Cramer acknowledges the Paralympic Torch Relay as an important milestone in Canadian history that shows how hard work can help people reach their full potential.
The Paralympic Torch Relay takes place March 3-12, 2010. The 2010 Paralympic Flame will open the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, after being part of a 24-hour event in downtown Vancouver. Approximately 1,000 athletes and officials from over 40 countries are expected to take part in the Paralympic Winter Games, concluding on March 21, 2010.
Earlier this year, the Province provided Vancouver Riley Park and Maple Ridge with $35,000, through the Paralympic Torch Relay Community Grant Program, to support tomorrow’s celebrations.
Additional information about the contest and the contest winners can be found at www.yougottabehere.ca.
For more information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay and the communities involved, please visit: www.vancouver2010.com.
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Media Contact:
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Darren Beaupre Public Affairs Officer BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat 250 213-3334
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
