/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Canadian Paralympic Committee invites Canadians to meet athletes and experience parasport on Canada Day in the Capital/

OTTAWA, June 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee is delighted to take part in Canada's 145^th birthday celebrations and is pleased to invite Canadians to participate in our "Parasport Festival" on July 1 as part of the National Capital Commission (NCC) Canada Day in the Capital celebrations at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec.

"This year's Canada Day celebrations are truly special," says Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "With the London 2012 Paralympic Games only weeks away, the Parasport Festival will offer Canadians the chance to discover adaptive sports first-hand. The Festival is designed to spark curiosity and excitement for the Paralympic Games and inspire more Canadians to get involved at the grassroots level."

The Canada Day Parasport Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jacques Cartier Park, in Gatineau (close to the intersection of Rue de Verdun and Rue Laurier).

Members of the public are invited to sign in at the "Get Involved" tent and receive an "accreditation" pass, just as if you were at the Paralympic Games! This pass will then allow participants to take part in sport demonstrations and activities:

• Get autographs from top Paralympic athletes!
• Wheelchair Basketball National Team members and multi-medallists onsite to include: David Eng, Robert Hedges, Brandon Wagner, Abdi Dini, Adam Lancia and Yvon Rouillard.
• Learn about parasport and test the adapted equipment used by athletes with a disability. Sports include: Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Para-Alpine Skiing, Adapted Waterskiing, Para-Nordic Skiing, Wheelchair Curling and Adapted Sailing.
• Ask questions about the London 2012 Paralympic Games and discover how to get started in parasport!

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be held August 29 to September 9, 2012. Canada is looking to continue its winning tradition by finishing in the top eight nations, based on gold medal count.

The Parasport Festival is a fun event for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Come meet some of our athletes training for London, try a new sport or maybe find another athletic passion in your life!

Media contact onsite: Kim McLachlan. Cell: 613-883-1477

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.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is committed to the development of parasport. To learn about getting involved in parasport, whether as an athlete, coach, volunteer or guide, please visit www.paralympic.ca/getinvolved

For further information:

Kim McLachlan
Senior Coordinator, Athlete and Community Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] x225
Cell: 613-883-1477
[email protected]

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

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