Canadian Paralympic Medalist Lauren Barwick to Carry 2010 Olympic Flame

Ottawa, ON – —Canadian Paralympian Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, has been chosen as the City of Langley’s torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games.

Barwick was selected by Langley’s Torch Relay Committee to represent the community and carry the Olympic Flame to the Langley Events Centre (LEC) for its official welcome on Monday, February 8.

“I was completely shocked and surprised to be asked to carry the torch,” said Barwick. “Being able to carry the Olympic torch, to be a part of that special journey, is the next best thing to being able to compete.”

To cheer for Barwick and celebrate her achievements as one of Canada’s top equestrian athletes an Olympic Torch Relay Community Celebration will be held at the LEC, 7888 – 200 Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Barwick will arrive with the Olympic flame around noon.

Barwick, riding her horse Maile, a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, won the individual gold and individual silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in para-dressage. A two-time Paralympian, Barwick was also named as the 2004 Equine Canada Equestrian of the Year based on her outstanding accomplishments at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, GRE.

Barwick, who is only returning to Langley for a few days to carry the torch, is currently training and competing in Florida in preparation for The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ Kentucky 2010 which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, US, September 25 – October 10, 2010. This will be the first World Equestrian Games where the discipline of para-dressage will be featured.