Canadian Paralympic Committee Celebrates 2014 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

OTTAWA, Dec. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Amid growing excitement for the upcoming Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games and the Year of Sport in Canada, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is celebrating today the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities, continuing to work with our partners towards becoming the world's leading Paralympic nation.

• Enhancing the visibility and awareness of Canadian Paralympic athletes remains a priority. This evening at 7:00 p.m. in Ottawa, Team Canada Chef de Mission for the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, Elisabeth Walker-Young, a four-time Paralympic swimmer, will emcee the Parliament Hill Christmas Lights Across Canada Illumination Ceremony.
• In the area of high performance sport, preparations are well established for the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, which will run August 7 to 15, 2015 and feature 1,608 athletes from 28 countries competing in 15 sports. Team Canada is expected to send a team of approximately 200 athletes and has set a goal of finishing in the top three nations in the total medal count.
• The Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games are also on the horizon, with planning, consultations and visits well under way in order to help provide Team Canada's athletes and coaches with optimal environments for excellence.
• The Canadian Paralympic Committee's From Playground to Podium fundraising campaign, launched yesterday, is off to a strong start with more than $24,000 raised so far. Funds raised will help the CPC deliver its world-class programs. The campaign runs until Dec. 31, 2014. To contribute, please visit Paralympic.ca/donate.

"Today is an exciting milestone, a day that reminds us to continue to advance the important work of improving opportunities, accessibility and investment in parasport," said Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Looking ahead to 2015, the Year of Sport in Canada, we are optimistic and energized by a strong 2014 and look forward with great anticipation to the upcoming home Games in Toronto, as well as future Paralympic Games and the next generation of champions."

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 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 high performance athletes with a disability 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

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SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Alison Korn, Senior Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Phone: [phone] ext. 243, Cell: 613-298-4927, [email protected]; Martin Richard, Executive Director, Communications and Marketing, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Tel: [phone] ext. 224, Cell: 613-725-4339, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.paralympic.ca/english/index.asp