Photo Release / Flash Quotes - London 2012 Olympians, Paralympians and Builders honoured with Diamond Jubilee Medal in Montreal

Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees congratulate recipients, celebrate contributions to Canada

MONTRÉAL, le 28 févr. 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the contributions of 22 London 2012 Canadian Olympians, Paralympians and nine of Canada's Olympic and Paralympic Builders were celebrated through the presentation of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals at a special ceremony in Montreal.

While this ceremony is one of a series across Canada in which Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team members from last summer's Olympic Games are being honoured with the Diamond Jubilee medal, it is the first ceremony at which Olympic Builders from the sport community have officially received their medals.

Photo 1: http://tinyurl.com/ckzgyf9
Montreal area London 2012 Olympic athletes received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today from the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal.
Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Scott Grant

Photo 2: http://tinyurl.com/c7xhfpf
Montreal area London 2012 Paralympic athletes received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today from the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal.
Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Scott Grant

Photo 3: http://tinyurl.com/bpk96um
Montreal area Olympic builders received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today from the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal.
Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Scott Grant

Photo 4: http://tinyurl.com/bucxybq
Montreal area Paralympic builders received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today from the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal.
Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Scott Grant

Photo 5: http://tinyurl.com/ctthtpe
Montreal area London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and Olympic and Paralympic builders received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal today from the Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal.
Photo Credit: Canadian Paralympic Committee/Scott Grant

FLASH QUOTES

"I'm so grateful for this honour," said Antoine Valois-Fortier, London 2012 bronze medallist Judoka. "As athletes, we compete for so many different reasons, but to witness the impact we have on this country -- and to be recognized for it in this way -- is incredible. It's truly inspiring."

"For me, this is almost as much an honour as getting a Paralympic medal because it's from my country," said Norbert Murphy, a bronze medallist in Archery at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. "A little less work though!"

"This honour represents so much," said two-time Olympian and three-time medallist short-track speed skater Nathalie Lambert. "I am thrilled to be recognized, but more importantly, I am incredibly proud of what sport can accomplish for all of Canada. Everyone receiving this medal has contributed to making our country better through the Canadian Olympic Movement and I am honoured to be among this incredible group."

"I'm so proud to have this honour, it's not something we as coaches work for, but it is a prestigious prize," said Pierre Lamy, swim coach of Benoît Huot, who won gold, silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. "It's thanks to our athletes who are such hard workers that coaches can receive awards like this. I'd like to thank my athletes. Without athletes, we can't be here. We learn from them, too. We learn through their will, their determination. It's because of them that we go further as coaches."

"Whether you were there in London or watching back in Canada, our team — Canada's team — made us proud this summer," said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "They were the perfect ambassadors: their performances were inspiring, their passion was infectious and their determination brought the nation to its feet again and again. Each one of these athletes and builders set a perfect example of excellence in our great country.

"We are honoured today to recognize and celebrate many of our athletes and builders for their dedication, passion, and commitment to the advancement of the Paralympic Movement in Canada," said François Robert, Executive Director, Partnerships for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "These outstanding individuals have inspired countless Canadians with their accomplishments on and off the field of play and we are very grateful for their contributions."

London 2012 Olympians

• Stéphanie Durocher, Synchronized Swimming
• Jo-Annie Fortin, Synchronized Swimming
• Tracy Little, Synchronized Swimming
• Andréanne Morin, Silver Medallist, Rowing
• Antoine Valois-Fortier, Bronze Medallist, Judo
• Sergio Pessoa, Judo
• Marie-Andrée Lessard, Beach Volleyball
• Pierre-Luc Hinse, Table Tennis
• Annie Martin, Beach Volleyball
• Lizanne Murphy, Basketball
• Douglas Vandor, Rowing

London 2012 Paralympians

• Norbert Murphy, Bronze Medallist, Archery
• Lyne Tremblay, Archery
• Michel Filteau, Athletics
• Marie-Eve Croteau, Cycling
• Robert Labbé, Cycling
• Dominique Mainguy, Cycling
• Marie-Claude Molnar, Bronze Medallist, Cycling
• Bruno Haché, Goalball
• Aurélie Rivard, Silver Medallist, Swimming
• Élaine Allard, Wheelchair Basketball
• Pierre Mainville, Wheelchair Fencing

In addition to the London 2012 Olympians, the ceremony specifically honoured nine individuals who, over the course of their careers in Canadian sport, have helped to build the Olympic movement and contributed to the overall success of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams in London and in preparation for the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia 2014.

Canadian Olympic Committee Builders

• Jean Grenier, Calgary 1988 Chef de Mission
• Michael Chambers, Canadian Olympic Committee Immediate Past President, Atlanta 1996 Chef de Mission
• Nathalie Lambert, Vancouver 2010 Chef de Mission
• Jack Graham, Vice-Chair, Tennis Canada
• Julia Rivard, Olympian, Canoe Kayak Canada Board Member

Canadian Paralympic Committee Builders

• Michel Bérubé, Swimming coach of London 2012 Paralympians Camille Bérubé, Brianna Jennett-McNeill, Devin Gotell
• Pierre Lamy, Swimming coach of Benoît Huot, winner of gold, silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
• Peter Carpenter, Swimming coach of Valérie Grand'Maison, winner of one gold and two silver medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
• France Latendresse, Swimming coach of Aurélie Rivard, winner of a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

The Diamond Jubilee medals provide a unique opportunity to honour exceptional Canadians for their contributions to their fellow citizens, communities and country. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians from across the country and various walks of life will be recognized.

SOURCE : Comité paralympique canadien (CPC)

Canadian Olympic Committee Media Office:

Jane Almeida, Manager, Media Relations
Tel: [phone] / Cell. : 416-540-1788
Email: [email protected]

Dimitri Soudas, Executive Director, Communications
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Canadian Paralympic Committee Media Office:

Alison Korn, Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Phone: [phone], ext # 243 / Cell: 613-298-4927
Email: [email protected]

Martin Richard, Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
Phone: [phone], ext # 224 / Cell: 613-725-4339
Email: [email protected]