PARALYMPIAN SEARCH program launched to identify next generation of Canadian Paralympic athletes

Media release

Calgary to host inaugural athlete recruitment event Nov. 14

OTTAWA, October 30, 2015 – Are you #PARATOUGH? Interested in becoming a Paralympian? Here’s your chance to find out what it takes.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee, in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network and Canada’s national sport organizations, is pleased to announce the launch of Paralympian Search, an exciting new program designed to identify the next generation of Paralympic athletes.

Paralympian Search is a series of one-day events offering Canadians with a disability the chance to test their abilities and discover which Paralympic sports they are best suited for.

The first Paralympian Search event is coming up Nov. 14 in Calgary and is open to people with a physical disability or a visual impairment, aged 14 to 35. Registration is free. Participants will have the chance to meet Matt Hallat, a three-time Paralympian in alpine skiing.

WHERE: Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, WinSport Markin MacPhail Centre, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary
WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
REGISTER: paralympic.ca/paralympian-search

“I’m thrilled to be involved in the launch of Paralympian Search’s first event,” said Hallat, who had his right leg amputated at age five, due to bone cancer. “I was very lucky to discover my ability and passion for alpine skiing when I was eight years old and begin a journey that led me all the way to the Paralympic Games. I’d like to encourage Canadians to take advantage of the opportunities in this great new program, to enjoy the benefits of sport and who knows – some may go on to win medals for Canada. I’m looking forward to meeting all the participants in Calgary.”

Additional Paralympian Search events will be held in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

For more information and to register, visit paralympic.ca/paralympian-search.

“The purpose of the program is to support the identification of Canada’s next generation of Paralympic stars,” said Catherine Gosselin-Després, Executive Director, Sport at the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “In order for Canada to be a world-leading Paralympic nation, we need a targeted approach to athlete identification, to ensure the right people are in the right sports with the greatest chance for success. There is a sport for everyone, and we want to help people find out what it is.”

“We are proud to collaborate and host the first event of this very exciting initiative,” said Jason Poole, Director, Performance Services at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary. “The event will be a great opportunity for athletes to meet coaches, learn about different sports and know how to get involved. Athletes will go through basic physiological, strength and endurance testing as well as receive advice on proper hydration and nutrition.”

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 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.

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Annie Gagnon
Manager, Communications
Canadian Sport Institute Calgary
Phone: 403.202.6815
Cell: 613.262.9644
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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