Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships PRESS RELEASE
Collingwood, ON – The 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships have come to a close in Collingwood and surrounding area after three days of elite level competition.
Paul Rosen, goalie for the National Sledge Hockey team was on hand Saturday night to motivate the gathering of athletes at the closing ceremonies on the night before a number of them would be competing for gold medals. Paul discussed the path his team took which would eventually lead them to a gold medal victory at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy. The inspiring speech motivated all the athletes competing on the final day of competition.
The closing ceremony had a touch of everything with Host Organizing Committee Chair Kathy Jeffery and Paralympics Ontario Executive Director thanking all the volunteers and acknowledging the tremendous efforts of all the athletes before the party began.
The acknowledgement of the Ministry of Health Promotions and the Sport Alliance of Ontario can not be overlooked. These two partners were instrumental in providing funding for these championships and helping Paralympics Ontario and the Host Organizing Committee provide elite level competition for athletes with a physical disability in the province.
Matt Rhodes
Marketing & Communications Manager
1185 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 102
Toronto, ON M3C 3C6
Phone: 416.426.7030
Toll Free: 1.800.265.1539
http://www.paralympicsontario.ca/
Monday, February 18, 2008:
Championships a Success!
The 2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships has been a tremendous success in a number of ways. Terrific competition amongst Ontario’s best Para Sport Athletes was on display at seven world class venues in our Region providing Para athletes with a momentous event. Spectators were inspired and awed at the adaptation to Para Sport and the excellence of skills and determination in competition. The message was effectively delivered that it is critical for continued investment, by all orders of government, be made in barrier free access to sport and programming– not just for championships of elite performance but for our residents on a daily basis.
I am extremely proud of our community and region, and most particularly of the volunteer team that was assembled to implement the Provincial Championships flawlessly. Our complement of 300 community volunteers was shored up by more than forty soldiers from Land Forces Central Area Meaford Training Centre. The soldiers exuded the characteristics of their motto “Duty-Honour-Integrity-Discipline.” I am indebted for their significant participation and truly proud to be Canadian.
Congratulations to all!
Yours in Sport
Kathy Jeffery, Chair
Host Organizing Committee
2008 Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships
