Paralympic Torch Relay Celebrations Recieve Grants

VICTORIA – The Province has finalized the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Community Grants Program, distributing $159,975 to support nine celebrations across B.C. for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay, Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC Mary McNeil announced today.

 

“The Paralympic Torch Relay will be a magical lead-in to Canada’s first ever Paralympic Winter Games, and this is our opportunity to bring people together and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” said McNeil. “These grants will support communities with their efforts to bring people together, honour our Paralympic athletes and garner attention for the spirit British Columbia has for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.”

 

Provincial funding will be used to support approved entertainment and event planning featuring local and regional talent in communities hosting the Paralympic Flame. Unlike the Olympic Flame, the Paralympic Flame does not have an ancestral home. The flame will be lit at the beginning of each celebration and extinguished at the end.

 

“The Paralympic Torch Relay gives our province and people the opportunity to celebrate the achievements, courage and dreams of our inspirational Paralympic athletes as we welcome the world for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games,” said Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

 

The Province is a proud partner of the Paralympic Torch Relay, organizing a national online contest to support the Paralympic Torch Relay public torchbearer program. Thousands of applications were sent to the Province through www.YouGottaBeHere.ca and a random draw was used to choose winning entries.

 

In addition to the nine celebration events in British Columbia, the Paralympic Flame will visit Vancouver’s downtown core surrounding Robson Square on March 11, when the relay will turn into a special 24-hour event leading up to the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The relay will begin in Ottawa on March 3.

            

For more information about the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay and Celebration Communities, please visit: http://www.vancouver2010.com.

 

For more information on the Paralympic Torch Relay Community Grant Program, please contact: communities2010@gov.bc.ca. 

 

-30-

 

A backgrounder follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-30-

 

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

 

COPYRIGHT | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY | ACCESSIBILITY | SITE MAP