Media Advisory/Photo & Video Opportunity - Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc launches Canadian Tour in Ottawa to promote Paralympic sport on the road to Rio 2016

Petitclerc and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities to connect with local athletes training for Rio

OTTAWA, Dec. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Chantal Petitclerc, Canada's Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, will launch her Canadian Tour on Thursday, December 3 in Ottawa, to promote Paralympic sport and athletes on the road to Rio.

December 3 is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

To mark the day, Petitclerc will be joined by fellow Paralympian and Canada's new Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, as well as several local athletes training for Rio.

Chantal Petitclerc, Minister Qualtrough and athletes will meet at the University of Ottawa pool to encourage local Paralympic swimmer and Rio hopeful Camille Bérubé in her training.

Media are invited to the pool for photo, video and interview opportunities.

Ottawa is the first stop on Chantal Petitclerc's cross-country tour that will encompass eight Canadian cities between now and June 2016, with an aim to build awareness of Canadian Paralympic athletes. Petitclerc, a five-time Paralympian and 14-time Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair racing, knows that community support is crucial to every athlete's success.

WHAT	Interview and photo/video opportunities
WHO	Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Chantal Petitclerc, Canada's Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Camille Bérubé, Paralympian (swimming) and three-time Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games medallist Jason Dunkerley and guide Josh Karanja, Paralympians (athletics), London 2012 silver medallists, Toronto 2015 gold and silver medallists
WHEN	Thursday, December 3, 2015 8 :30 to 9 :30 a.m.
WHERE	University of Ottawa *Aquatic Centre, Montpetit Hall 125 University Private Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

*Media are asked to check in at Client Services Desk in Montpetit Hall 039. The pool is accessed via Sport Services on the ground floor.

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

and/or to arrange interviews please contact : Marie-Anik L'Allier (on-site), [email protected], B. [phone], C. [phone]; Camille Asselin, [email protected], B. [phone]