“The Paralympic Movement uses sport to empower people with physical disabilities at all levels,” said Henry Wohler, President of the CPC. “We aim to involve more people with physical disabilities in sport and that way we’ll see as many Canadians as possible on the Paralympic Podium in 2010.”

The CPC is issuing a call-to-action, to FEEL THE RUSH, to Canadians who live with a physical disability to take up sports and possibly be among the next generation of Paralympic athletes. About 3.6 million Canadians have physical disabilities, 700,000 between the ages of 5 and 45. About 20,000 are engaged in organized sport at present.

The awareness campaign is a national initiative focused on the winter Paralympic sports of alpine skiing, sledge hockey, Nordic skiing and wheelchair curling, all of which are featured at this year’s Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The campaign encourages Canadians with a physical disability to “feel the rush” of confidence and empowerment that comes with participating in sport not just at the high performance level but in a more day-to-day way as well.

The CPC campaign website, www.paralympic.ca/feeltherush, is a hub of information, where potential athletes can learn more about the Paralympic Movement and locate a national, provincial, or local sporting association best suited to them. Along with the website, the campaign will include a Winter Paralympic promotional DVD and supporting material for distribution in schools and rehab facilities, as well as a national speaker tour involving Paralympians.

Mayor Sam Sullivan, who spoke at today’s news conference, said, “I am honoured to be part of this initiative that encourages people with disabilities to become more active and involved in sports.” He added, “I am very supportive of the Paralympics because I feel that disabled athletes are on par with able-bodied athletes in terms of the skill and perseverance required to compete at an elite level and they deserve to be recognized for that. I speak from experience when I tell people with disabilities how much getting involved in sport will enrich their lives.”

With four world championship titles under her belt, and three Paralympic medals, including two gold, alpine skier Lauren Woolstencroft is testament to the power of sport, “I can’t put a value on the profound effect that sport has had on my life,” says Woolstencroft. “There is no other feeling like that of standing on the podium and knowing you’ve succeeded. I want other Canadians with physical disabilities to know that feeling as well.”

Joy Cabilete, who had never skied before her accident, got into skiing at the urging of her 10-year old son a few years ago. She is now a member of the Disabled Skiers Association of B.C. “We both took lessons at Whistler and by the next day my son was trying to race me down the hill,” says Cabilete, who spoke at the campaign launch news conference. “Once you start going down the mountain, the adrenaline starts to flow. I would urge anyone with a disability to just try a sport. It will change your life.”

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a not-for-profit, charitable, private organization recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The CPC aims to develop and grow the Paralympic Movement in Canada, with a commitment to delivering programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada and empower persons with physical disabilities through sport at all levels.

About the Paralympic Games

The origin of the Paralympic Games dates back to 1948 when Sir Ludwig Guttman staged the International Wheelchair Games to coincide with the 1948 London Olympic Games. The event gradually grew encompassing other sports and other disability categories, and now the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games are the ultimate international competitions for world class athletes with a disability. They are linked to the Olympic celebrations every two years and athletes must meet strict qualifying standards in order to compete. Canada has participated in every Paralympic Games since 1968.

In 2006, the Games take place in the same venues as the Olympics in Torino, Italy from March 10th to 19th. This year, it is anticipated that there will be approximately 600 competitors from 40 countries taking part in the Paralympic Games.

About Own the Podium

The Own the Podium- 2010 program is a collaborative effort supported by all 13 of Canada’s winter National Sport Federations and the major winter sport partners including the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Sport Canada, the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA), the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), VANOC and the Government of British Columbia. The focus of the program is to provide additional resources and high performance programming to Canadian athletes, coaches and support personnel to help them achieve podium success in 2010.