Canadian Paralympian Patrick Jarvis to serve a second term as a Governing
Board member for the International Paralympic Committee

VANCOUVER , Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) would like to congratulate Paralympian Patrick Jarvis on his re-election to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board. The votes were cast last week at the 2009 General Assembly of the IPC, the global governing board of the Paralympic Movement. Mr Jarvis will serve as member-at-large for a four-year term.

Mr. Jarvis represented Canada in athletics at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games. Since retiring from competition he has remained actively involved in increasing opportunities for persons with a disability to enjoy the benefits of sport. Mr Jarvis spent 13 years on the CPC Board, including two terms as President, and served as Canada's Chef de Mission at the Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games. He was first elected to the IPC Governing Board in 2005, and was appointed chair of the Development Committee, responsible for championing the growth of Paralympic Sport worldwide.

"The Paralympic Movement is growing at an unprecedented rate. With the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games approaching, and Toronto now selected to host the Para-panAmerican Games in 2015, Canada is at the centre of that growth," said Carla Qualtrough, Canadian Paralympic Committee President. "Patrick's position on the IPC Governing board will ensure the momentum being created in Canada benefits the Paralympic Movement worldwide."

Mr Jarvis is also on the boards of the Organizing Committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games and 2010 Legacies Now, and is a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee ("the CPC") is a non-profit, private organisation with 43 member sports organisations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The CPC is responsible for creating an optimal high-performance environment for Canadian Paralympic athletes to win at Paralympic and ParaPanAmerican Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a physical disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organisations. The Canadian Paralympic Committee is currently preparing for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, taking place from March 12 - 21, 2010 and where 55 Canadian Paralympic athletes will compete in Para-Alpine skiing, Para-Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing and biathlon), sledge hockey and wheelchair curling. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

For further information: Anna Parisi, [email protected], [phone]