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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release March 8, 2010 |
Ministry of Healthy
Living and Sport
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INSPIRING TORCHBEARERS LEAD PARALYMPIC FLAME’S JOURNEY
LYTTON/HOPE – The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay visits Lytton and Hope tomorrow and the torchbearers selected by the Province of British Columbia are ready to carry the flame with pride during Day 7 of the relay’s 10-day inspirational journey, Mary McNeil, Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC, announced today.
“The spirit and enthusiasm for our athletes, and the first ever Paralympic Winter Games in Canada, has been amazing – from the response to our public torchbearer contest to the individuals chosen to carry the flame,” said McNeil. “The Province is honoured to be a supporting partner in the Paralympic Torch Relay and we are proud to highlight this momentous event through the people that will make it come to life.”
“Our community showed tremendous support and enthusiasm for the Olympic torchbearers, and we are ready to show it again for our Paralympic torchbearers,” said Barry Penner, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope. “It may be a simple flame, but it brings people together to create lasting community spirit, which I hope will be a lasting legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”
From November 2009 to January 2010, the Province organized a national contest as part of the Paralympic Torch Relay’s public torchbearer application program. The contest provided an opportunity for Canadians to be part of the experience and support the ideals of the Paralympic movement: courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The contest was a huge success with a large volume of entries and many inspiring stories submitted.
The torchbearers involved in tomorrow’s segment include Matthew Bueshkens, a random-draw winner of the Province's contest, and Kathryn Newman, a provincially nominated torchbearer.
Matthew Bueshkens has been involved with the Special Olympics for six years, competing in eight different sports. He enjoys helping other athletes and will carry the Paralympic Flame as a representative of good sportsmanship.
Kathryn Newman began working for BC Wheelchair Sports in 1981. She is most proud the Bridging the Gap program, designed and implemented in 1999, that encourages and supports individuals with disabilities to become physically active. The program is now available across Canada, thanks to Newman’s leadership. She is also proud of winning the bid to host the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The bid was created to build on the great legacies from Vancouver hosting the 2010 Winter Games.
The Paralympic Torch Relay takes place March 3-12, 2010. The 2010 Paralympic Flame will open the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, after being part of a 24-hour event in downtown Vancouver. Approximately 1,000 athletes and officials from over 40 countries are expected to take part in the Paralympic Winter Games, concluding on March 21, 2010.
Earlier this year, the Province provided Lytton and Hope with $35,000, through the Paralympic Torch Relay Community Grant Program, to support tomorrow’s celebrations.
Additional information about the contest and the contest winners can be found at www.yougottabehere.ca.
For more information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay and the communities involved, please visit: www.vancouver2010.com.
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Media Contact:
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Darren Beaupre Public Affairs Officer BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat 250 213-3334
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
