MONTREAL, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Mr. Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, accompanied by Mr. Richard Deschamps, member of the City of Montreal Executive Committee, responsible for sports and leisure, infrastructures and procurement, today revealed the programming for the upcoming IPC Swimming World Championships to be held at parc Jean-Drapeau from August 12 to 18, 2013. This international sports event will bring together 500 elite athletes from 56 countries. Moreover, these Championships will showcase renowned paralympic athletes such as Benoit Huot and Valérie Grand'Maison.
"The majority of swimmers who lit up TV screens around the world last summer winning medals and smashing world records will be here in Montreal. In fact, a record 56 countries will be sending around 500 swimmers to this event to compete in 170 medal events over seven days of competition. This event, a first of its kind in North America, is of particular importance to the IPC for many reasons. Firstly, it will give Canadians a taste of elite para-sport and what they can expect when Toronto stages the Parapan American Games in just over two years' time. Secondly, this competition marks the start of the road to Rio for all our swimmers and the next Paralympic Games in 2016. After last year's amazing success we will use this event to build on the momentum generated by London 2012. IPC Swimming continues to grow. We know that Montreal, which has a proud and rich history in staging major events, will deliver a top class elite sporting event for world class athletes. No matter what the impairment, be under no illusions that what you witness here next month is elite sport at its very best with some great rivalries playing out between the swimmers", explained Ms. Jane D. Blaine, Chairperson of IPC's Swimming Technical Committee.
"Swimming Canada is extremely pleased to work with the International Paralympic Committee and the Club de Natation des Piscines du Parc Olympique to present this important gathering of the world's best para-swimmers. Canada has a long history of success in para-swimming. Our swimmers won 16 medals at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 - more than half of Canada's total of 31 medals. We hope that this success continues and that our athletes win medals at home, and we hope to expose a new generation of Canadians to para-swimming and to other para-sports in general", said France Latendresse, Swimming Coach.
"We are looking forward with great anticipation to the City of Montreal hosting the IPC World Swimming Championships next month," said Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "This will be the first ever para-swimming world championship held in North America and I know the event will be world-class and that racing will be extremely exciting. Best of luck to both competitors and organizers in this final stretch of preparations."
"Montreal is a leading sport venue, an international metropolis that is renowned for the quality of its installations, its savoir-faire with regard to the organisation of sports events, its volunteers and the exceptional hospitality it offers visitors. It also positions itself as the perfect venue for events organized for handicapped athletes. We are especially proud to welcome these Championships that will give the public the opportunity to see the world's best para-swimmers in action. I hope that Montrealers will come to the venue in great numbers to attend this wonderful event", declared Richard Deschamps, member of the City of Montreal Executive Committee, responsible for sports and leisure, infrastructures and procurement.
"Not only are we extremely happy and proud to welcome an international competition of such scope, but in addition, this event is entirely consistent with parc Jean-Drapeau's vision of development. Furthermore, the presence of all these athletes will definitely have positive repercussions on our clientele which will be more than ever motivated to come to the Aquatic Complex to train and move", explained Daniel Blier, Directeur général at Société du parc Jean-Drapeau.
"I believe that having these World Championships in Montreal is an incredible opportunity for local athletes, especially for the new generation of athletes. This is a golden opportunity to see the best athletes in the world compete in a world-class competition, as can be seen at the Paralympic Games. This is a highly enriching, inspiring and motivating experience", concluded Miss Aurélie Rivard, emerging Paralympian.
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit private organisation with 46 member sports organisations who are committed to consolidating the paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the World's Leading Paralympic Nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian paralympic athletes and by promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport thanks to the programs made available by its member organisations. For more information, go to www.paralympic.ca
About the International Paralympic Committee IPC
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement and acts as the International Federation for nine sports, including swimming.
Paralympic sport is governed by the IPC and coordinated by its Sports and Athletics Technical Committee, offering a vast array of competitions and events for male and female athletes, in all categories of handicaps.
For more information, go to www.paralympic.org/athletics, twitter.com/IPCAthletics, www.facebook.com/IPCAthletics or www.ParalympicSport.TV.
Fact Sheet
| Event: | 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships |
| When: | From August 12th to August 18th, 2013 |
| Where: | Aquatic Complex of Parc Jean-Drapeau |
| Organisation: | International Paralympic Committee (IPC) |
| Spokespersons: | Benoît Huot, Valérie Grand'Maison and Aurélie Rivard |
| Number of swimmers: | 500 |
| Number of countries: | 56 |
| Public financing: | Tourisme Montréal: $110,000 City of Montréal: $125,000 Gouvernement du Québec: $500,000 Government of Canada: $500,000 |
| Classification of functional impairments: | In all Paralympic activities, athletes are classified by impairment categories, i.e., categories beginning with the letter "S" designate free style swimming, backstroke and butterfly, categories commencing by "SB" designate brass and the ones commencing by "SM" designate the 4 individual swimming techniques. Passive range of movement impaired athletes - are divided in 10 "S" categories (S1 to S10), 8 "SB" (SB2 to SB9) and in 8 "SM" categories (SM3 to SM10) according to their functional capacities. The number 1 category corresponds to the highest degree of impairment. Visually impaired athletes are classified in 3 categories, i.e.: 11 (S11 - SB11 - SM11), 12 (S12 - SB12 - SM12) and 13 (S13 - SB13 - SM13). The athletes classified as "11" are blind; and the ones who are classified as "12" or "13" are visually impaired. Intellectually impaired athletes are classified under one and only category, it being S14. |
Image with caption: "The world's greatest paralympic swimmers will be meeting in Montreal this summer from August 12 to 18, 2013. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130709_C6317_PHOTO_EN_28891.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
Source: IPC Swimming World Championships
Information:
Fabrice Giguère
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