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Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 2:05 AM
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Subject: Vancouver 2010 News
11 March 2010

HIGHLIGHTS
IPC President Signs Olympic Truce Wall
The President of the IPC, Sir Philip Craven, was in the Whistler Athletes'
Village this morning to sign the Olympic Truce Wall, amid a formal
introduction and celebration which included several distinguished guests
like Wilfried Lemke, the Special Adviser to the United Nations
Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace. 

The signing ceremony brought athletes and volunteers together in the Village
to promote peaceful resolutions to all conflicts around the globe. The
pillars had a mix of Aboriginal artwork and contemporary design which
recreate the Vancouver 2010 medals' artwork. The raven on the pillar is also
found on the Paralympic medals and is often associated with transformation
and healing abilities, representing determination, creativity and wisdom. 

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games are directly in sync with the
Olympic Truce, in that athletes readily set aside their political, religious
and social differences in the name of sport. Their sportsmanship and
behaviour are examples of how countries and people can build respect and
friendship with one another. 

"I can easily say that when you watch our athletes in competition, on the
podium and off the field of play, their spirit will inspire you," Sir Philip
said. 

Allianz Holds Media Workshop
The IPC together with its Gold Patron Allianz put together a special media
workshop today inside the Snow Dome where the IPC Exhibition is taking
place. The ultimate goal was to inform media on background information about
the Paralympic Games, Sport and Movement before the Vancouver 2010
Paralympic Winter Games begin. 

Moderating the media workshop was Paralympian Ambassador Chris Waddell, who
interviewed members of the Paralympic Movement including IPC President Sir
Philip Craven, Paralympian Ambassador and Medallist Muffy Davis, and winter
athletes Katarzyna Rogowiec and Bruce Reding. Waddell began the workshop
saying that "what happens to you is not as important as what you do with
what happens to you". 

The hands-on information included a presentation on the five winter sports,
with special details being given on equipment and operation. Polish athlete
Rogowiec explained to the media how she had to work hard to figure out her
own method of high performance. Paralympian Ambassador Muffy Davis agreed,
saying she too had to measure the ability of her balance. 

"The problems I had in competition when I was able-bodied became the same
problems I had when I became a Paralympic athlete," Davis said. "I finally
figured out that everything that was giving me trouble was all in my mind,
and had absolutely nothing to do with my body." 

The Allianz Media Workshop in the Snow Dome was followed by a special trip
atop the mountain slope to demonstrate the usage of the sit-ski. 

Anti-Doping Education On Track

An Anti-Doping education programme is already showing a high completion rate
during the Vancouver Winter Paralympics. For the results, the Canadian
Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has congratulated the host country's
athletes in the Men's Alpine Skiing and Ice Sledge Hockey for an almost 75%
of the team having completed the True Sport Clean Advantage online learning
programme. Athletes who have completed the course have a high level of
knowledge in their anti-doping rights and responsibilities under the IPC
rules. 

Education is considered by the CCES to be an essential part of an athlete's
Paralympic preparations, keeping to the IPC's rigorous programme and the
Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee's stated goal of Games that are
doping-free. 

The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Their
mission, to foster ethical sport for all Canadians, is carried out through
research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through
programs and partnerships with other organizations. 

Wheelchair Curling to See Ten Teams

A total of ten teams will be competing in the Wheelchair Curling event at
the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games after qualification from three
previous Championships. The teams include Canada, Germany, Great Britain,
Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. Wheelchair Curling
will begin on 13 March, as a mixed ten-team tournament. 

The Paralympic Winter Sport of Wheelchair Curling made its debut just four
years ago at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, and is now one of the
major attractions for Vancouver 2010. Medallists from Torino include Canada
(Gold), Great Britain (Silver) and Sweden (Bronze). 

"Soldier On" Event Promotes Paralympic Sport 

A special event this evening brought the history of Paralympic Sport into
the spotlight with members of the military community. "Soldier On, True
Patriot Love" was a dinner of three nations that celebrated the growth of
the Paralympic Movement, and its bright future. IPC Governing Board member
Patrick Jarvis was amongst the attendees. 

The initiative of "Soldier On" brings injured soldiers from Canada, USA and
Great Britain together with their families to the Vancouver 2010 Winter
Paralympics to attend various competitions between 13-16 March. The aim is
to inspire injured or ill personnel to experience confidence and empowerment
that comes from Paralympic Sport. 

The event also honoured the origins of the Paralympic Movement from Sir
Ludwig Guttmann, who organized a sports competition involving World War II
veterans with a spinal cord injury in Stoke Mandeville, England. 

Flagbearers Represent Various Backgrounds

The official flagbearer list of 44 individuals has been released and shows
an all-encompassing representation of male and female athletes, Paralympic
Winter sports and wheelchair user/non-user. Representing their countries,
the flagbearers will be part of a spectacular Opening Ceremony for the
Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games to take place tomorrow night. To
watch the event live, tune into the IPC's official internet channel
www.ParalympicSport.TV, the best place for Canadians to watch the event when
it happens! A full list of flagbearers can be found on the IPC website at
www.paralympic.org. 

Athletes and Volunteers
Laura Valeanu is 20 years old and the only athlete competing from Romania.
From the age of the three, Valeanu has been on the slopes as an Alpine
skier. At 16 years old, a motorcycle accident brought her to the Paralympic
Winter Sport of Alpine Skiing, where she since has been practicing to make
the Paralympic Games. She said Romania has a bigger team for summer sports,
so it is an honour for her to be representing her country at the Winter
Games, actually for the first time ever. Valeanu will be competing in Alpine
Skiing Giant Slalom (Standing category) on 18 March. After the Games, she
will briefly return to Romania for holiday, before continue her university
studies in Munich, Germany. 

Ken Fung is 33 years old and a native of Vancouver. Applying four years ago
to be a volunteer for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Ken said
he is thrilled that the big event is now underway. As a volunteer, he is
working in the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) support area, where he
helps all of the NPC Assistants in their various duties. Ken's duty today
however, was shovelling the high level of snow that filled the streets
leading to the NPC services area. After the Games, Ken will begin his new
job in Vancouver for Mountain Equipment Co-op. 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS


Date/Time
Event
Place
12 March
IPC Exhibition
Snow Dome Whistler
12 March
Opening Press Conference with Sir Philip and John Furlong
Robson Square, Vancouver
12 March
Lunch and Chat with Paralympians with the Governor General Michaelle Jean
Vancouver Athletes' Village, Vancouver
12 March
Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver

PARALYMPICSPORT.TV PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Time
Event
12 March 18:00 PST
Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games LIVE

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If you have any questions, please contact the IPC Media and Communication
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C 2010 International Paralympic Committee 
 

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