Photo Release/Flash Quotes - Team Canada takes part in Opening Ceremony at Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games

Video of the opening ceremony is also available to media via SendtoNews: http://www.sendtonews.com/#!highlight/story/xaD8dwTSzN

SOCHI, Russia, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Team Canada entered Fisht Stadium today behind flag bearer Sonja Gaudet of the wheelchair curling team at the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games.

Athlete Flash Quotes

"This was an extremely humbling and emotional experience for me....One that has confirmed yet again that sport has this incredible power to unite each other from all over the world and to look past the differences between us - gender, nationality, religion, ability. The ceremony was an incredibly magical production that left me thinking in my own little world for quite some time! But it is game time now - time to do what we came here for and that is to compete at the sport of wheelchair curling!"
- Flag bearer Sonja Gaudet (Vernon, B.C), ,wheelchair curling

It was incredible. I've never experienced anything like that before. It was absolutely amazing. This is the first time I've walked in the Paralympics Opening Ceremony, it was insane how many people there were here. You walk out of the tunnel and people are screaming, and lights and colors and massive stadium, it was crazy. I am so happy, I am so stoked, I am just ready to go out and do the best that I can. This was incredible, amazing.
- John Leslie (Arnprior, Ont), para-snowboard

This is my third time walking into the Opening Ceremony and it is always very emotional thinking of all your family and friends back home who have supported you to this point. This time it is fun to see a lot of new faces of first-time Paralympians on the team excited and smiling. It is always a thrill and a very proud moment representing Canada.
- Robbi Weldon (Thunder Bay, Ont.), para-Nordic skiing

It was pretty amazing having the stadium that full and so crowded and so loud, it was quite an amazing experience, one I will always remember. Waving at so many thousands of people, it's fantastic.
- Chris Williamson (Toronto, Ont.), para-alpine skiing

It was really neat to attend the Opening Ceremony. It gets me even more excited to get the Games going and play for my country.
- Anthony Gale (Brampton, Ont.), sledge hockey

It was an amazing experience to be a part of. I'm so proud to be able to compete alongside all Canadian Paralympians.
- Steve Arsenault (Spruce Grove, Alta.), sledge hockey

Photo Release

Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony photos can now be downloaded at: photos.paralympic.ca.

PHOTO 1: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000xppW1eoWFeI
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 7, 2014 - Canada's Paralympic Team enters Fisht Stadium led by flag bearer Sonja Gaudet during the Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

PHOTO 2: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000GLJBTCKHNkY
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 7, 2014 - Canada's Paralympic Team enters Fisht Stadium led by flag bearer Sonja Gaudet during the Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

PHOTO 3: http://cdnparalympics.photoshelter.com/image/I0000g4gfyT18HNQ
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 7, 2014 - Canada's Paralympic Team enters Fisht Stadium led by flag bearer Sonja Gaudet during the Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

PHOTO 4: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000XnK5xqX_VQg
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 7, 2014 - Canada's Paralympic Team enters Fisht Stadium led by flag bearer Sonja Gaudet during the Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

PHOTO 5: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000yObqZdgMSC8
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 7, 2014 - The Opening Ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)

PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic athletes at any time, at no cost.

For full information about Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, please visit paralympic.ca/team-canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

John Sims
Media attaché, wheelchair curling
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3212
[email protected]

Kelsey Verboom
Media attaché, para-alpine
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3196
[email protected]

Chris Dornan
Media attaché, para-Nordic
SOCHI Cell: 011-7 9384543206
[email protected]

Keegan Goodrich
Media attaché, sledge hockey
SOCHI Cell 011-7-925-403-3678
[email protected]

Alison Korn
Press Chief and para-snowboard media attaché
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3162
[email protected]

Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Paralympic Committee
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3179
[email protected]

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