GOVERNMENT CONGRATULATES SASKATCHEWAN PARALYMPIC ATHLETES ON QUALIFYING FOR SUMMER PARALYMPIC GAMES

The Government of Saskatchewan wishes Saskatchewan's Paralympic athletes the best of luck in the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games, taking place from August 29 to September 9 in London.

Six athletes from Saskatchewan qualified to compete. They are Arnold Boldt (cycling, Saskatoon), Logan Campbell (sailing, Saskatoon), Earle Connor (athletics, Saskatoon), Alexandre Dupont (athletics, Bradwell), Keira Frie (athletics, Saskatoon) and Robert Hudson (archery, Leoville).

"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud of our province's Paralympic athletes," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. "Part of our ministry's mandate is to promote healthy, active families through sport, culture and recreation. These Paralympic athletes will inspire others to keep fit and stay involved in sport."

One of the ways government and its partner, Sask Sport Inc., supports our province's Paralympic athletes is through the Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence.

Four Paralympic athletes - Boldt, Campbell, Frie and Hudson - qualified and will receive funding through the program, which has provided $399,000 to 67 athletes in 29 different sports since it was established in 2010 to help finance the athletic pursuits of our province's elite athletes.

Competitors who qualify receive up to $6,000 per year to help cover expenses including education, living, equipment, competition and training camp costs.

Campbell, 24, from Saskatoon, will compete in sailing at the Summer Paralympic Games.

"The Saskatchewan Program for Athletic Excellence has given me the opportunity to train and compete at an international level," Campbell said. "Without this funding, my Paralympic dreams may not have been realized. I was relieved to know that all my hard work had paid off and is excited for the chance to compete at the highest level of sport."

"Our province's athletes are some of the most competitive in the world," Doherty said. "They showcased their skills at the Summer Olympic Games and I am confident they will continue to demonstrate their excellent abilities at the Paralympic Games."

To learn more about the Saskatchewan Paralympic athletes, coaches and officials participating in the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London, please visit http://www.csc-sask.ca/2012London.php.

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For more information, contact:

Chelsea Coupal
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email: chelsea.coupal@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8152

Rob Kennedy
Sask Sport Inc.
Regina
Phone: 306-975-0809
Email: rkennedy@sasksport.sk.ca