03.04.10 - Para-cyclist gets honor on lighting the first canadian paralympic torch relay

Ottawa, March 4, 2010 – Arnold Boldt receive great honours as he was the first Paralympic athlete to light the Paralympic Torch Relay in an official ceremony on Parliament Hill in front of an impressive panel of remarkable guests, including Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.

Arnold Boldt received this great honour for his Paralympic achievements in long and high jump in the 70’s and 80’s. Boldt is knows as one of the greatest Canadian Paralympian of all times and to Para-cycling benefits, Boldt decided to compete at its first Para-cycling Road and Track National Championships in 2009. Not only did he win a National Champion Title but he also made the National Time Standards and earn a spot on the Canadian Para-cycling Team at the 2009 Para-cycling Road World Championships, in Italy.

For his great performances and its potential in the sport, Boldt has made the National Team rank for 2010 and is currently training under National Para-cycling Coach, Eric Van den Eynde.

AMBASSADOR
To showcase the different winter and summer Paralympic sports, the Canadian Paralympic Committee invited different athletes to attend the event and present their equipment and sport. Road and Track Para-cycling Worlds medallist, Marie-Claude Molnar acted as a strong ambassador and left the event filled with higher Paralympic dreams.

TORCH RELAY
The Paralympic Torch will be held by 3 more para-cyclists through its journey towards Vancouver:

• March 4th, Quebec city: SHELLEY GAUTHIER, para-cyclist, cerebral palsy, on trike. Shelley aspired to be the first Canadian Trike Cyclist to compete at a Paralympic Games.

• March 10th, Vancouver: BRAYDEN AND LARRY MCDOUGALL (father), para-cyclist, cerebral palsy. Brayden is a 2008 Paralympian and is aiming for his second Paralympic Games in London 2012.

• March 11th, Vancouver: BRIAN COWIE, para-cyclist, visually impaired. Brian, recently a bronze medallist at the 2009 Track World Championships is looking at attending his 4th Paralympic Games in London 2012.

To follow the Torch relay, please visit:
http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralympic-games/

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