MEDIAThe Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for high performance athletes with a disability. Held immediately following the Olympic Games, they are a direct "parallel, hence the name.Canadian Paralympians have excelled on the world stage since they first participated in a Paralympic Games in 1968. They have won 1116 medals for Canada, driven to win.
On home soil in 2010, the most successful Paralympic Winter Games for a Canadian team has created the foundation for the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) to continue Canada’s leadership in Paralympic sport.
Record breaking performances by Canadian Paralympians included: Colette Bourgonje, who won the first-ever Paralympic winter medal on Canadian soil; Lauren Woolstencroft, who swept the podium in Para-Alpine skiing, winning gold in all five disciplines; the McKeever brothers victory in the 20-km cross-country ski race to take Canada’s first gold at a home Games; and, Canada’s second Paralympic gold in a row in wheelchair curling. These wins, and the performances of the entire 2010 Canadian Paralympic Team, captured the attention of the media and public across Canada, and have inspired a generation of Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport.
The start of Canada’s first Paralympic Winter Games was boosted by the announcement of $10 million in funding to the CPC by the Federal Government. It ended with long term Canadian Paralympic Team sponsor Pfizer announcing its intention to extend its 14-year sponsorship for another five years, when its current agreement runs out after the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
A record 165 Canadian media were accredited by the CPC for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, and daily media coverage in national, provincial and community newspapers as well as online exposed Canadian’s from coast-to-coast to Paralympic Sport.
Thanks to an unprecedented 65 hours of television coverage by the Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, viewers across the country had the chance to follow the fortunes of a Canadian Paralympic Team for the first-time. During the 10-days for the Games, 13.6 million Canadians tuned in to support Canada’s Paralympic athletes.
As predicted, the 2010 Canadian Paralympic Team finished in the top 3 gold medal winning nations. With 19 medals overall, they set a new record for a Paralympic Winter Games, and have inspired the next generation of Canadians with a disability to participate in sport, and pursue dreams of representing their country in international high performance competition.
Building on this success, the CPC is now working with its members and partners to develop programs and opportunities dedicated to increasing participation in sport by persons with a disability, and will make more announcements on its future plans very soon.
Media contacts:
Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
(613) 569-4333 ext.243
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