Discover Canada's Paralympic Summer "Super Athletes"

In the lead up to London 2012, the Canadian Paralympic Committee adds 18 summer athletes to its bold marketing campaign

OTTAWA, April 27, 2012 /CNW/ - They represent you and your country, but have you been introduced? It's time. Through determination, perseverance and undeniable dedication to sport, they are some of the best athletes in the world. We would like you to meet:

• Wheelchair racer Diane Roy, a force to be reckoned with who has been dubbed "The War Horse."
• Wheelchair basketball player Cindy Ouellet, "The Hornet," who plays with a sting.
• Boccia player Adam Dukovich, whose patience and accuracy earn him the title "Dead Eye."
• Hurling a ball at 60 kilometers per hour, goalball player Mario Caron deserves the title of "The Heat."
• Known as "Thunder," cyclist Robbi Weldon powers through her races with undeniable strength.
• Rower Victoria Nolan is perfectly synchronized with her team, securing her the name "The Metronome."
• Swimmer Benoît Huot, with his speed and stamina, is nicknamed "The Shark."

They're among the 18 new Super Athletes vignettes unveiled today, representing summer sports, at www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics and www.paralympic.ca/superathletes. Four winter sport Super Athletes vignettes were launched in January 2012.

These distinctive, gutsy 45-second athlete vignettes are designed to generate awareness and interest in Paralympic sport, to promote Paralympic athletes and illustrate the highly competitive nature of the Paralympic Games.

In the vignettes, every athlete is given a nickname that resonates with attitude and is based on their specific competitive profile and character.

"With the first four Super Athlete vignettes being well received, we are thrilled to introduce Canada and the world to some of our athletes preparing for the London 2012 Paralympic Games," says Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "These summer sport Super Athlete vignettes form a partnership with the winter Super Athletes series and carry the same imagery, attitude and inspiration. I know these vignettes will connect Canadians with our athletes."

An additional background video profile (two minutes each) for every Super Athlete explores how the athlete got started in parasport and what it means to them to represent their country, with the goal of inviting viewers to get involved.

Vignettes were produced by Liz Dussault of FamilyStyle, in collaboration with CTV, Canada's Olympic Broadcast Consortium.

"It's great that we are changing how Canadians look at athletes who have disabilities," says Dussault. "These athletes are world class and are proving they will be the ones to watch in London."

In addition to the videos, users can access detailed information about each Super Athlete, such as their training regime, what keeps them going, their background and achievements, via the CPC's Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics or website at www.paralympic.ca/superathletes.

Is there a Super Athlete from your area? Check out the chart below for athlete names, sports, birth places, hometowns and residences.

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. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

Canadian Paralympic summer sport Super Athletes

Name	Sport	Birth Place	Hometown	Residence
Barwick, Lauren	Equestrian	Langley, BC	Aldergrove, BC	Reddick, FL
Caron, Mario	Goalball	St-Jean Port-Joli, QC	St. Eustache, QC	St. Eustache, QC
Dukovich, Adam	Boccia	Oakville, ON	London, ON	London, ON
Hinchey, Austin	Sitting Volleyball	Edmonton, AB	Edmonton, AB	Edmonton, AB
Hodgson, Dustin	Soccer	Vancouver, BC	Vancouver, BC	Vancouver, BC
Hunter, Sarah	Wheelchair Tennis	White Rock, BC	South Surrey, BC	South Surrey, BC
Huot, Benoît	Swimming	Longueuil, QC	Longueuil, QC	Longueuil, QC
Karn, Justin	Judo	Guelph, ON	Kitchener, ON	Kitchener, ON
Mainville, Pierre	Wheelchair Fencing	Saint-Jerôme. QC	St-Colomban, QC	St-Colomban, QC
Milley, Jaye	Cycling	Calgary, AB	Calgary, AB	Calgary, AB
Mortimer, Summer	Swimming	Burlington, ON	Newmarket, ON	Ancaster, ON
Nolan, Victoria	Rowing	Liverpool, UK	Toronto, ON	Toronto, ON
Ouellet, Cindy	Wheelchair Basketball	Rivière-du-Loup, QC	Quebec, QC	Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Roy, Diane	Athletics	Notre Dame Du Lac, QC	Sherbrooke, QC	Sherbrooke, QC
Simard, Patrice	Wheelchair Rugby	Alma, QC	Québec, QC	Quebec, QC
Stilwell, Michelle	Athletics	Winnipeg, MB	Parksville, BC	Nanoose Bay, BC
Tingley, Paul	Sailing	Halifax, NS	Halifax, NS	Halifax, NS
Weldon, Robbi	Cycling	Thunder Bay, ON	Thunder Bay, ON	Thunder Bay, ON

Follow Your Team:
www.paralympic.ca
www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics
www.twitter.com/CDNParalympics
www.youtube.com/CDNParalympics

 

Image with caption: "The Canadian Paralympic Committee gathered 12 of the country's top summer athletes in Montreal today for the launch of its "Super Athletes" marketing campaign en route to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. (CNW Group/CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120427_C9704_PHOTO_EN_12808.jpg

For further information:

or to schedule an athlete interview, please contact:

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]

Mark Dottori
Director, Marketing and Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 242
Cell: 613-294-5961
[email protected]