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OTTAWA, Nov. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Edmonton Journal photographer Larry Wong has received the prestigious Paralympic Media Award for Best Photo for his stunning image of Canadian swimmer Benoit Huot celebrating victory at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The winning photo was taken on August 30, 2012 and captures Huot's emotion after winning Canada's first gold of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. With the win, Huot recaptured the Paralympic title in the 200-metre IM, the same event which he won at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games, but lost in Beijing in 2008, going home devastated with bronze. View the photo here: http://tinyurl.com/8jr9axg
"Larry's ability to capture Paralympic competition is unequalled," said Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Action exudes from every shot, and we can feel the athletes' emotions and intensity on the field of play. His iconic shot of Benoit Huot at the London 2012 Paralympic Games is one for the ages. It will be part of the Canadian Paralympic Committee's history for generations to come."
The photo was printed in newspapers across Canada. In total, Huot won three medals in London - gold, silver and bronze - and was named Team Canada's flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony. Not only did the photo effectively share Huot's electrifying moment of victory with the Canadian public, it also has a special significance for the athlete himself.
"It was the scream of the last eight years between Athens and London," said Huot. "And knowing what happened in Beijing, it all came out in one single second. That was my reaction. It wasn't long that I stayed like this. It was a second. To come out of the water like that is not easy and you cannot hold it very long. Larry took the perfect shot. I feel very privileged to have this as a souvenir of the greatest swim of my life. It's something that I'm going to look at and cherish for my entire life."
Wong previously photographed the Olympic Games in Vancouver, Beijing and Calgary. More of Larry Wong's London 2012 Paralympic Games images can be viewed at www.larrywongphotography.com
Wong's win prevented a British sweep of the Paralympic Media awards showcasing extraordinary coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, with the other three award winners coming from Great Britain.
Channel 4 won the award for Best Broadcast after showcasing more than 500 hours of London 2012 coverage and transforming perceptions with their advertising campaigns for the Games; Telegraph Media Group won the Best Written (print and online) award; and BBC World Service won Best Radio.
The awards were presented earlier today at the 2013 Paralympic Awards ceremony in Athens, Greece.
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
Image with caption: "November 23, 2013 - Edmonton Journal photographer Larry Wong has received the prestigious Paralympic Media Award for Best Photo for his stunning image of Canadian swimmer Benoit Huot celebrating victory at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131123_C4425_PHOTO_EN_33788.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Phone: 613-569-4333 ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[email protected]
Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications and Marketing
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: 613-569-4333 ext. 224
Cell: 613-725-4339
[email protected]
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