Canadian Paralympians join Olympians in Celebration of Excellence Heroes Tour
Paralympians and Olympians Celebrate Games Experience in Ottawa and Toronto
OTTAWA, Sept. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Paralympians are joining their Olympic counterparts in the Celebration of Excellence Heroes Tour and Parade this week. The tour connects Paralympians, Olympians and their coaches with students, community leaders and clubs, young hospital patients, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and fans of the Canadian Paralympic and Olympic Team alike.
"I am so excited to be able to share my Paralympic experience in London with Canadians", said closing ceremony flag bearer Benoît Huot (@benhuot). "This is a great celebration of the accomplishment s of our Paralympic and Olympic athletes and gives Canadians a taste of the excitement in London. I will be great to relive some of the emotions from London".
The festivities kick off on Wednesday with the Heroes tour in Ottawa in which Paralympian and Olympic athletes will visit Ottawa-area schools and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. In the afternoon, the Canadian Paralympic and Olympic teams will be welcomed into the House of Commons by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and presented with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals.
On Thursday, the Heroes tour continues in Toronto when athletes will visit area schools and hospitals before attending a reception at Queen's Park hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley and Premier Dalton McGuinty. The day finishes with dinner at Ronald McDonald House and a Performance Excellence Series event with young athletes.
On Friday, starting at approximately 11:30 am at the corner of Albert and Bay Streets, the tour culminates with the Olympic/Paralympic Heroes Parade which will wind through downtown before concluding a Maple Leaf Square outside of Air Canada Centre for a public celebration.
A full schedule of the Celebration of Excellence Heroes Tour is available at: https://www.paralympic.ca/en/London-2012/London-2012-News/2012-Paralympic-Olympic-Celebration-of-Excellence-Heroes-Tour.html
List of Paralympians:
|
Ottawa Events -Parliament Hill |
|
| Athlete | Sport |
| Adam Lancia | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Amy Kneebone | Goalball |
| Aurelie Rivard | Swimming |
| Benoit Huot | Swimming |
| David Eng | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Isaac Boucley | Swimming |
| Jason Crone | Wheelchair Rugby |
| Jason Dunkerley | Athletics |
| John Dunkerley | Athletics |
| Jody Schloss | Equestrian |
| Josh Karanja (guide) | Athletics |
| Justin Karn | Judo |
| Marco Dispaltro | Boccia |
| Don Lane | Marco's assistant |
| Michelle Stilwell | Athletics |
| Patrice Dagenais | Wheelchair Rugby |
| Richard Peter | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Summer Mortimer | Swimming |
| Tyler Miller | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Virginia McLachlan | Athletics |
| Whitney Bogart | Goalball |
| Josh Cassidy | Athletics |
Toronto Events & Parade
| Athlete | Sport |
| Abdi Dini | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Adam Lancia | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Amy Kneebone | Goalball |
| Aurelie Rivard | Swimming |
| Benoit Huot | Swimming |
| Brandon Wagner | Wheelchair Basketball |
| David Eng | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Isaac Boucley | Swimming |
| Jason Crone | Wheelchair Rugby |
| Jody Schloss | Equestrian |
| Joel Dembe | Wheelchair Tennis |
| Justin Karn | Judo |
| Marco Dispaltro | Boccia |
| Don Lane | Marco's assistant |
| Michelle Stilwell | Athletics |
| Patrice Dagenais | Wheelchair Rugby |
| Richard Peter | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Robbi Weldon | Cycling |
| Shelley Gauthier | Cycling |
| Summer Mortimer | Swimming |
| Tyler Miller | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Virginia McLachlan | Athletics |
| Whitney Bogart | Goalball |
| Garrett Hickling | Wheelchair Rugby |
| Josh Cassidy | Athletics |
Friday Only Events
| Athlete | Sport |
| Josh Vander Vies | Boccia |
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening 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 promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations.
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SOURCE: CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (CPC)
For further information:
Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications and Marketing.
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-569-4333 ext. 224
Cell: 613-725-4339
mrichard@paralympic.ca