VICTORIA – The provincial government has proclaimed Feb. 16, 2011 as “Maëlle Ricker Day” to begin a program that will recognize British Columbia’s medal-winning athletes from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced Colin Hansen, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, today.
“Our Olympians and Paralympians have left us with lifelong memories and helped to inspire our youth to pursue their dreams,” said Hansen. “Proclaiming days to recognize their achievements is just one way we can show our appreciation for the contributions they have made to British Columbia.”
“These Olympic and Paralympic athletes have made special contributions to our province and country by helping to bring us together as British Columbians and Canadians,” said the Honourable Steven L. Point, Lieutenant Governor of B.C. “It is fitting that we recognize them on the one-year anniversary of their medal-winning performances.”
The Province will proclaim recognition days for every British Columbia athlete who won a medal during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes will be recognized on the one-year anniversary of their medal-winning performance. Athletes who won multiple medals will receive a day proclaimed in their honour on the one-year anniversary of their first medal victory and acknowledgement of their additional medal victories.
March 21, 2011 will be proclaimed “Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day” to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by volunteers in making the Games the most successful Winter Olympics ever.
“Maëlle is a great role model and has taken a leadership role as a member of the ActNow BC’s Athlete Ambassador team,” said Hansen. “Her dedication and perseverance fighting through injuries and the difficult experience of twice narrowly missing the podium in past Games to become a champion is a positive example to aspiring Olympians.”
Ricker won the Gold Medal in Women’s Snowboard Cross at the Olympics on February 16. She was the first Canadian woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal in an Olympic Games hosted by Canada. She was also the first British Columbian to win a medal during the 2010 Olympics.
Eight proclamations will be made recognizing 17 British Columbian athletes who won medals individually or as members of a team and those who served as volunteers during the Olympics or Paralympics.
The full list of
proclamations includes:
- Maëlle Ricker Day (Feb. 16, 2011)
- Ashleigh McIvor Day (Feb. 23, 2011)
- Chris Le Bihan and Denny Morrison Day (Feb. 27, 2011)
- Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Brent Seabrook, Roberto Luongo and Shea Weber Day (Feb. 28, 2011)
- Josh Dueck and Lindsay Debou Day (March 13, 2011)
- Lauren Woolstencroft and Karolina Wisniewska Day (March 15, 2011)
- Ina Forrest, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour Day (March 20, 2011)
- Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day (March 21, 2011)
A backgrounder follows.
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Media Contact: |
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