PRIME MINISTER HARPER CONGRATULATES CANADIAN WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TEAM ON PARALYMPIC SILVER MEDAL

StarBuzz, Toronto-

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated the Mixed Wheelchair Rugby Team on their silver medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London.  

 “I would like to congratulate the Mixed Wheelchair Rugby Team on their stellar performance today at the London Games,” said the Prime Minister. “The silver medal they earned for Canada is a testimony of what can be accomplished through discipline, training and great team spirit. Canadians are immensely proud and grateful to our athletes for providing this exciting moment in sports history.”

Canada’s Mixed Wheelchair Rugby Team has consistently ranked in the top three in the world. It has won three Paralympic medals, including silver medals at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and the 2004 Games in Athens, and a bronze at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Members of this year’s London Team competed together at the at the 2012 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament where they took home a silver medal. The Members of the 2012 London Team are: Jason Crone, Patrice Dagenais, Garett Hickling, Ian Chan, Mike Whitehead, Trevor Hirschfield, Fabien Lavoie, Travis Murao, Jared Funk, David Willsie, Patrice Simard and Zak Madell.

The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games are being held from August 29 to September 9 in London, United Kingdom. Canada is being represented by more than 145 athletes who are competing in 15 sports. More than 4,000 athletes from 125 countries are participating in the largest ever Paralympic Games.