EDMONTON, AB (August 8, 2011) With just over a year out of the London 2012 Paralympics, 190 top swimmers from 14 countries, including Pan Pacific charted nations Australia, Japan, USA and Canada, have migrated north to Edmonton, Alberta to compete at the inaugural Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships from August 10th to 14th at the Kinsmen Sport Centre.

“The competition will feature Canada’s top hopefuls for the 2012 Paralympics,” said Craig McCord, National Para-swimming Coach.

“Our swimmers will be going into this meet and use it as a measuring stick towards their preparation leading to London. This is the last big event before the games, and we’re trying to simulate the competition as it would be next year in London.”

Canada’s ongoing success in the pool at past Paralympic Games has developed some internationally known household names. Canadian stars such as 3-time Paralympic Multi gold medalist, Benoit Huot, 27, and Beijing Paralympian Valérie Grand’maison, 23, of Montreal will be amongst Canada’s line up for the Championships.

“I’ve had a great season of training and the times posted at earlier competitions were very encouraging,” said Huot.

“This is our biggest event of the year and to have it in Canada is even more special. My goal here is to post fast times. My main competitors for next year’s Games will be swimming here (in Edmonton) and it will be quite the challenge to get on that top podium spot.”

Huot says that the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships will be a great racing opportunity for himself and his teammates.

“It’s great to have an opportunity to swim at such a high level event in your backyard, we will see the cream of the crop here” added Huot.

According to National Coach, Craig McCord, the depth in Paralympic swimming has grown significantly over the past two quadrennials. Canada has been consistent at being one of the leading forces in the pool, yet many emerging stars have been rising from numerous other countries.

The Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships is the first major para-swimming event of its kind hosted in Canada since the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

Other countries attending are Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Great Britain and New Zealand.

Prelims start at 9:30am and Finals at 4:30pm local time. Live web streaming of finals will be available on www.swimcanweb.tv.

Media Accreditation: www.swimming.ca/media

Canadian Team Roster

Men (16) [Swimmer, Club, Hometown, Coach]: Isaac Bouckley, NORAC, Port Hope, ON, Eric Kramer; Magnus Batara, RAPID, Richmond BC, Drew Mclure; Mike Diering, Chena, North Vancouver BC, Daryl Rudolph; Devin Gotell, CNPG, Antigonish NS, Michel Berube; Mike Heath, WAAC, Tillsonburg ON, Joni Sanders; Brian Hill, PPO, Montreal QC, Sebastien Messier; Benoit Huot, PPO, Montreal QC, Pierre Lamy; Jean-Michel Lavalliere, CSQ, Quebec City QC, Claude Lamy; Marc-Oliver Marchand, Vmax, Montreal QC, Claude Picard; Kyle McMahon, ISLAND, Victoria, BC, Martin Gurrin; Danial Murphy, SWAT, Sackville, NS, Kevin Ross; Scott Paterson, Chena, Vancouver BC, Marianne Alveraz; Michael Qing, RODS, Regina SK, Sylvan Pineau; Adam Rahier, NRST, Nanaimo BC, Scott Flood; Nathan Stein, SKSC, Maple Ridge BC, Reg Shaw.

Women (19) [Swimmer, Club, Hometown, Coach]: Cynthia Berringer, MSSAC, Mississauga ON, Mike Rutledge; Camille Berube, CNPG, Gatineau, QC, Michel Berube; Morgan Bird, CASC, Calgary Alberta, Kristina Crook; Megyn Coughlin, GFSC, Ottawa Ontario, Sheri Coughlin; Valerie Drapeau, VMAX, Montreal QC, Claude Picard; Valerie Grand'maison, McGill, Montreal QC, Peter Carpenter; Brianna Jennet-McNeil, CNPG, Ottawa Ontario, Michel Berube; Jeannick Leblanc-Normand, CAC, Quebec City QC, Heather McFarlane; Sarah Mailhot, CSQ, Quebec City QC, Marc-Andre Pelletier; Stephanie McDougall, SKSC, Maple Ridge BC, Reg Shaw; Sarah Mehain, VKSC, Vernon BC, Renate Terpstra; Summer Mortimer, Ducks, Ancaster Ontario, Craig Mortimer; Brianna Nelson, ISLAND, Victoria, BC, Martin Gurrin; Maxime-Valérie Oliver, Vmax, Montreal QC, Claude Picard; Aurelie Rivard, CNHR, Haute Richelieu, QC, France Latendrasse; Katarina Roxon, IWAS, Stephenville NL, Leonard Roxon; Rhea Schmidt, Uman, Winnipeg MB, Vlastimil Cerny; Jenna Skenieh, WAC, Windsor, ON, Bill Park; Amber Thomas, OSC, Drayton Valley Alberta, Dave McDonald.

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For more information:

Martin Richard
Director, Communications
Swimming Canada
C. +1 613 725 4339
E. mrichard@swimming.ca