While the Olympic flame was extinguished with the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, the Paralympic flame is shining bright as it makes its way across Canada.
”The Paralympic Torch Relay marks the beginning of the celebrations for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “These are Canada’s Games and the relay is an important way to engage Canadians.”
“The Paralympic Torch Relay will shine a light on Paralympic athletes and celebrate the passion for sport throughout Canada,” said Minister of Health and Wellness, Carolyn Bertram. “We are very pleased to have Islander Colin MacLeod representing our province on the opening day of the Paralympic Torch Relay. Colin is a determined and inspiring young man; he is a member of ParaSport PEI and a wonderful ambassador for Prince Edward Island.”
The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay begins today in Ottawa with 13 torchbearers, one from each Canadian province and territory, taking part in the Lighting Ceremony on Parliament Hill.
Colin MacLeod, a native of Murray River, is Prince Edward Island’s torch bearer during the relay. MacLeod, who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, is an active member of the Island’s sledge hockey community and a student at the University of Prince Edward Island.
The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will conclude in Vancouver at the Opening Ceremony, signalling the start of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games on March 12.
Prince Edward Island will have two Paralympic athletes competing in the 2010 Games, Mark Arendz and Billy Bridges. Arendz, a native of Springton, is a member of the 2010 Canadian Para-Nordic Ski team and will compete in both biathlon and cross-country skiing events at the Games. Bridges, born in Summerside, is a member of the Canadian Men’s Sledge Hockey Team who will be looking to defend its gold medal from the 2006 Torino Winter Paralympic Games.