2010 Paralympic Winter Games mascot Sumi presents students at Winnipeg's
Isaac Brock School with Paralympic Torch

WINNIPEG, March 9 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is excited to announce Isaac Brock School in Winnipeg, Manitoba as the winner of the Paralympic Games Education and Awareness Initiatives program for its entry in the Bon Voyage Sumi competition.

In February 2009, students from grades 4, 5 and 6 submitted a letter to vancouver2010.com/edu, the Canadian school portal for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, about how they included Sumi, the Games mascot, into their day-to-day classroom learnings. The winning entry from Isaac Brock School was randomly selected in a draw that included hundreds of submissions from schools across Canada.

On March 9, Sumi, along with members from the Vancouver Organizing Committee team, visited Isaac Brock School to present students with a Paralympic Torch for their winning letter.

The Bon Voyage Sumi program is one of many Paralympic Winter Games education and awareness initiatives led by the Organizing Committee. Others include: Paralympic School Days, a day of Paralympic-themed fun, learning and physical activity; a Paralympic School Week, held across Canada; and Ticket to Inspiration, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for British Columbia's (BC's) children and youth to experience the atmosphere, excitement and magic of the Paralympic Winter Games. To learn more about these initiatives, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

VANOC encourages schools across Canada to continue showing their enthusiastic support for the Games, which will include approximately 600 athletes from 44 countries who will compete in five sports (alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling) in 64 medal events.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

For further information: Media Contacts: Vancouver 2010 Media Relations, [phone], [email protected]; Linda Wilson, Winnipeg School Division, Information Officer, [phone]