Ottawa, ON – Paralympians Lauren Barwick of Aldergrove, BC, Karen Brain of Saanichton, BC, and Jennifer McKenzie of Maple Ridge were selected as torchbearers for the 2010 Paralympic Games.
The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay, presented by the Government of Canada, was a 10-day celebration highlighting and sharing the stories of inspirational individuals: their achievements, their passions and their courage. The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay began in Ottawa on March 3rd, 2010 and concluded at the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver to signal the start of the Paralympic Winter Games on March 12th, 2010.
“The torch relay was completely amazing! The high energy, crowd enthusiasm and community appreciation for both the Paralympic Torch relay and each of the torch bearers themselves was electric. The experience easily compared to my first Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony in Athens when I first walked into the stadium; an over whelming sense of pride to be Canadian and to be a fellow Paralympic athlete filled me completely,” said Brain, who won a bronze medal in para-dressage at the 2004 Paralympic in Athens, GRE. “I am grateful to have been given this opportunity! It was a fabulous reminder of the Paralympic spirit!”
“It’s incredible to have been selected to carry the Olympic and Paralympic torch in my home country,” said Barwick, who was the city of Langley’s torch bearer for the 2010 Olympic Games on February 8. “It was once in a life time experience.”
All three athletes were members of the Canadian Equestrian Team at the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong in para-dressage, where Barwick was a double medalist—individual gold and silver. Both Barwick and Brain also represented Canada at the 2004 Paralympic in Athens, Greece.
As official sponsor of the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team, Viterra Inc, a global food ingredients company headquartered in Canada, is proud to recognize these Paralympians. Viterra operates grain handling and marketing, agri-products and processing businesses, including custom mills and operations throughout Canada, the U.S. and New Zealand that provide premium quality feed products and nutritional advice to the equine industry.
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