Montreal next stop for PARALYMPIAN SEARCH on Sat. April 30

Montreal to host Paralympic athlete identification event at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard

MONTREAL, April 27, 2016 /CNW/ - The PARALYMPIAN SEARCH heads to the hometown of some of the country's most successful Paralympic athletes on Saturday April 30 at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard in Montreal, looking to discover future participants in parasport.

Paralympian Search is an exciting program designed to identify the next generation of Canadian Paralympic athletes. It is a series of one-day events offering people with a disability the chance to test their abilities and discover which Paralympic sports they are best suited for.

The event is open to people with a physical disability or a visual impairment, aged 14 to 35. Registration is free and can be done at paralympic.ca/paralympian-search.

The Montreal Paralympian Search is held in collaboration with Défi Sportif AlterGo and l'Institut national du sport du Québec, and many national and provincial sport organizations.

Participants will have the chance to meet local Paralympian David Eng, a member of Canada's national wheelchair basketball team. Eng is a three-time Paralympian who has won two Paralympic gold medals (2012 and 2004) and one silver medal (2008).

WHERE: Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, 1000 Ave. Émile-Journault, Montreal

WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 2016 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

REGISTER: paralympic.ca/paralympian-search

The first three Paralympian Search events were held in Calgary on Nov. 14, 2015, Toronto on Feb. 27 and Halifax on April 23. For more information and to register, please visit paralympic.ca/paralympian-search.

QUOTES

''This is a great opportunity for people with a disability in the Montreal area to discover the opportunities that exist for those who want to participate or compete in sports,'' said David Eng of Canada's national wheelchair basketball team. ''I'm really looking forward to sharing my story and playing a role in the further development of parasport in Montreal.''

"The first three Paralympian Search events, in Calgary, Toronto and Halifax, were very successful and we are looking forward to bringing the program to Montreal," said Catherine Gosselin-Després, Executive Director, Sport at the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "This unique program supports the identification of Canada's next generation of Paralympic stars through an innovative, targeted approach with sports. It's very exciting to work with our sport partners to help participants discover sports they are best suited for and to ensure that all participants benefit from expert testing and follow up."

"Quebec athletes have made a significant contribution to parasport for decades and this program helps maintain that excellence," said Marc Gélinas, President and CEO of INS Quebec. "We're excited to host the Paralympian Search because not only is it timely, we expect there to be strong interest among para-athletes. We know there are future champions to be discovered out there and also want more people with disabilities to participate in sport at all levels. We look forward to working with the Canadian Paralympic Committee and helping more athletes discover their opportunities and talents in parasport."

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 27 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

About the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Sport Institute Network:

The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSI Network) is a partnership between the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the Canadian Sport Institute Network which is made up of seven Sport Institutes and Centres across Canada. The aim of this partnership is to strengthen and align Canada's high performance sport system through a shared vision, areas of collaboration and new funding opportunities. The COPSI Network supports Canada's world-leading Olympic and Paralympic podium performances by providing world-class, multi-sport daily training environments to high performance athletes, coaches, and sport organizations through expert leadership, programs, and sport science and sport medicine services.

Follow the Canadian Paralympic Committee:
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SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Image with caption: "Participants will have the chance to meet local Paralympian David Eng, a member of Canada’s national wheelchair basketball team. (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160427_C5179_PHOTO_EN_676444.jpg

Alison Korn, Senior Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Phone: [phone] ext. 243, Cell: 613-298-4927, [email protected]; Louis Daignault, Coordinator, Communications, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Phone: [phone] x237, Cell: 613-297-1455, [email protected]