Event Advisory - Photo Opportunity - Bourgonje wins Canada's first Paralympic
Winter Games medal on home soil

Media availability announced

WHISTLER, BC, March 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Sit-skier Colette Bourgonje (Saskatoon) made history Sunday by becoming the first Canadian winter Paralympic athlete to win a medal on home soil. She captured the silver medal in the women's 10 kilometre sitting category. Bourgonje won bronze in the same event at the 2006 Games. The achievement marks the ninth Paralympic medal for Bourgonje, who has earned five medals in cross-country skiing and four medals in athletics.

"Wow - I'm shocked and I can't believe it. I don't think it has sunk in yet. I am still racing because I wanted to compete at a Paralympics in Canada and I'm just so proud to have done this in front of Canadians. I share this medal with all of Canada." said Bourgonje after her race.

"Our wax techs were awesome because these skis were flying today. I may be standing on the podium, but this medal is our entire team's to share. We were all in this together. The support we have received from Canada through our personal sponsors, government and Own the Podium has made the difference and I am so appreciative of everything they have done for us athletes.

Age means nothing, attitude is everything. I live by that everyday and I think that came through today."

    
    PARALYMPIC MEDIA HISTORY FOR COLETTE BOURGONJE
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    Year   Sport                 Event                           Medal
    1992   Athletics             Women's 100 m TW3               Bronze
    1992   Athletics             Women's 800 m TW3               Bronze
    1996   Athletics             Women's 100 m T52               Bronze
    1996   Athletics             Women's 200 m T52               Bronze
    1998   Cross Country Skiing  Women's 2.5 km Sitski LW10-12   Silver
    1998   Cross Country Skiing  Women's 5 km Sitski LW10-12     Silver
    2006   Cross Country Skiing  Women's 10 km sitski            Bronze
    2006   Cross Country Skiing  Women's 5 km sitski             Bronze
    2010   Cross Country Skiing  Women's 10 km sitski            Silver


    MEDIA AVAILABILITY
    ------------------
    Who: Colette Bourgonje, silver medalist from Para-Nordic will be
         available to the media.

    How: Accredited media only - Whistler Medals Plaza, Whistler at 19:00 PT.
         All media - Canada Paralympic House (Whistler Public Library)
         immediately following medal ceremony.
    

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (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 the 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. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

Follow the Canadian Paralympic Committee by becoming a fan on Facebook, and following on Twitter.

For further information: Michael Cvitkovic, Press Chief, Canadian Paralympic Committee, [email protected], [phone]; Chris Dornan, Media Attache, Para-Nordic, Public Relations and Media, Cross Country Canada, [email protected], [phone]