VANCOUVER – Imagine training for years for a single event – a defining moment that could put you in the history books as one of the world’s best. One year ago today, 22 British Columbia athletes woke up knowing that special moment had arrived.

Over the next 10 days, they would be put to the ultimate test – the culmination of intense training, discipline, sacrifice, pain and passion. Supporters were nothing short of wowed by their performance. Of Canada’s 19 medals in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, 14 went to British Columbians.

Touted as the best ever, the 2010 Paralympics were part of a magical time in British Columbia that helped unite, inspire and capture the imagination of close to two billion people around the globe.

Paralympians were honoured during a ceremony Saturday at Jack Poole Plaza. Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Stephanie Cadieux and Canadian Paralympic Committee Past President Carla Qualtrough spoke to athletes and their supporters. The athletes included: Para-alpine skiers Lauren Woolstencroft, Karolina Wisniewska, Josh Dueck, and Lindsay Debou (guide of Viviane Forest) and Wheelchair curlers Darryl Neighbour, Sonja Gaudet, Jim Armstrong and Ina Forrest. Several MLAs attended the event.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – “In 2010, B.C.’s Paralympians captivated us with their athleticism, strength of spirit and determination as they gave their all to win 14 of Canada’s 19 medals. Today, on the one-year anniversary of the 2010 Games, we want to celebrate these athletes for giving us so much to be proud of as a province and for creating a legacy that continues to strengthen our communities and inspire British Columbians.”

Carla Qualtrough, Past president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee – “As a result of the incredible success achieved by our 2010 medallists, more Canadians with a disability than ever before are aware of the opportunity to play sports. This legacy of greater awareness will lead to increased participation and inclusion in local, provincial and national sport programs. This is critical if Canada is to continue to create Paralympic champions. I am proud to be standing beside such great athletes who have shown the rest of the world that Canada is the world’s Paralympic leading nation.”

Quick Facts:

·         2010 was the first time Canada hosted the Winter Paralympic Games.

·         The program included five sports: Para-Alpine skiing, Biathlon, Para-Nordic skiing, Wheelchair Curling and Sledge Hockey.

·         Lauren Woolstencroft of North Vancouver became the first Canadian Paralympian to win five gold medals at a single Winter Games in 2010. She was recently recognized as “Best of BC” at the 45^th Sport BC Athlete of the Year awards.

·          The motto for the Games was “With Glowing Hearts.”

·         502 athletes from 20 countries competed in the Games.

·         Canadian athletes received 19 medals, achieving its goal of being ranked among the Top 3 nations in the world in terms of number of gold medals. 

Learn More:

·         For more information on B.C.’s 2010 Winter Games legacy, go to www.yougottabehere.com

·         Follow us on Twitter @BC_GottaBeHere

·         Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/YouGottaBeHere

·         To learn more about the Canadian Paralympic Committee, go to http://www.paralympic.ca/

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.

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.