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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release March 10, 2010 |
Ministry of Healthy
Living and Sport
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24-HOUR RELAY TAKES PLACE AT POPULAR ROBSON SQUARE
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay visits the University of British Columbia and Vancouver’s downtown tomorrow.
Torchbearers selected by the Province are ready to carry the flame with pride during the final days 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.”
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.
Two torchbearers involved in tomorrow’s segment include brothers Mark and David Antoniuk, who were both randomly drawn in the Province’s public torchbearer contest.
The Antoniuk brothers entered the contest in hopes that they could run in honour of their brother Ben, aged 9, who was born with spina bifida and requires a wheelchair for transportation. In their contest applications, the Antoniuk brothers refer to Ben’s positive attitude and ability to bring joy to others in life. On March 11, Mark and David will surely keep Ben smiling, as both carry the Paralympic Flame during the inspirational 24-hour relay.
Festivities for the 24-hour relay will take place at Robson Square, the Province’s celebration site for the 2010 Winter Games. During the Olympic Winter Games, nearly 1.5 million people visited the Robson Square area for fun, family-oriented activities. Families can continue to enjoy entertainment and activities at Robson Square during the Paralympic Winter Games with the ice rink at GE Plaza, zipline and the BC Pavilion open daily.
The 2010 Paralympic Flame will open the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, after being part of the 24-hour event in downtown Vancouver.
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.
