23 Mar

Canadian Paralympians Set Records Of Their Own

Posted in News, Promotional Products on 23.03.10 by John Meloche

This past Sunday evening, the incredible sporting event that was the Paralympic Winter Games drew to a close. And just as the more heralded Canadian athletes of the Winter Olympic Games did, our Canadian Paralympians set amazing records on home soil giving the nation a whole lot more to be proud of.

As Daniel Girard wrote in The Toronto Star, the first ever Paralympic Games to be held in Canada ended with the host country earning an awesome 19 medals. This is the most ever achieved by Canadian athletes at these Games. Providing a well-deserved spotlight for athletes with disabilities, this event showcased individuals who obliterate the entire concept of being disabled by achieving such wondrous results.

Of Canada?s 19 medals, ten were gold, setting yet another record. When it was all said and done, Canada finished third in the medal standings behind only Germany and Russia. In Turin, Italy four years ago, Canada placed sixth overall.

One of Canada?s heroes this time around was alpine skier Lauren Woolstencroft. The closing ceremony flag bearer for Canada, Woolstencroft was born missing both of her legs below the knee and her left arm below the elbow. A situation that would stop most people from achieving their dreams, the 28-year-old Vancouver native?s disability didn?t stop her from winning an astonishing five gold medals. Only the third Canadian Paralympian to ever do that, it is the most gold medals won of any woman in one Winter Paralympic Games.

Said Blair McIntosh, Canada's chef de mission of Woolstencroft: “The accomplishments of Lauren during these Paralympics will be relived by Canadians for many years to come. She has set a new standard for Winter Paralympic athletes and has joined an elite group of historic Canadians in sport.”

Paralympians are outstanding examples of how people can overcome personal hardships. Where most individuals would quit, these amazing athletes defeat the odds. The Paralympic Games, of course, feature the blind, amputees and paraplegics. It doesn?t matter to these athletes though. Each of them battling for medals, Paralympians show what it means to win.

As John Furlong, chief executive officer of VANOC, and organizer of both the Olympics and Paralympics describes it: “When you come to an event like this and you stand back for a moment and allow yourself to think about what you're looking at, if you're not inspired, it's not possible to inspire you.?

Cross-country skier Brian McKeever, was just one of the few Canadians who were truly inspiring these Games. Winning Canada?s first gold medal this year in the one-kilometre sprint, McKeever only has 10 per cent of his vision and all of it is peripheral. He ended up winning three medals at this year?s Paralympics.

Synergy Marketing Consultants would like to congratulate all Canadian Paralympians for doing the entire nation proud. Your achievements are truly inspiring.

Comments Off on Canadian Paralympians Set Records Of Their Own