City Announces Paralympic Torchbearers and Schedule of March 10-12 Relay

Eight individuals representing the City of Vancouver will take part in the Paralympic Torch Relay which began in Ottawa last week and will culminate in the lighting of the Paralympic Cauldron at BC Place on March 12.

“All of Vancouver’s torchbearers have demonstrated the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality and we are honoured to have them representing our city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.

Two torchbearers were selected from each of the four categories of:

-       Athletes (Paul Gauthier, Donavan Tildesley)
-       Youth (Priya Sekhon, Sarah Cheung)
-       City staff (Bonnie Friesen, Betty Harris)
-       Community organizers (Craig McCord, Ann Carr)

“We look forward to hosting the world’s top athletes for the first-ever Paralympic Games to be held on Canadian soil, and we’re proud that for the first time in history the Olympic and Paralympic events are being celebrated on equal footing,” Robertson said.

Paralympic Torch Relay celebrations in Vancouver:

Hillcrest-Riley Park

Time:   March 10, 2010 Wednesday from 11 am - 1 pm
Place: Hillcrest/Riley Park Community Centre
Celebration Format:
A unique flame creation ceremony by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will kick off the Paralympic Torch Relay. The Flame will travel in a circular route in Riley Park with exchanges taking place along the route and a street party on Ontario Street.  The event will be launched by Mayor Robertson along with other municipal officials.

Downtown- Robson Square:

Time:   March 11-12, 2010   2 pm – 2 pm (24 hours)
Place: Robson Square, Vancouver Downtown  
Celebration Format:
The 24-hour Torch Relay will start from the stage at Robson Square and the Paralympic Flame will travel in a repeated loop along Howe, Georgia, Granville, Smithe, Bute and Robson with the exchanges of the Flame taking place at various locations. Celebration activities will include simultaneous live entertainment, sponsor activities, sports demos and cultural crafts display.  The ice rink at Robson Square will be open for free public skating and the Zipline will open on March 12 at 10 am.

There will be road closures and restrictions to vehicle traffic along a few blocks of the relay route and the public are advised to leave their car at home and walk, cycle or use transit to go to the site.  



Biographies and Scheduled Relay Times

Vancouver Riley Park - Mar 10, 2010 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Priya (Jasdeep) Sekhon  Run Time 11:27 am

Priya (Jasdeep) Sekhon was involved in a car accident at the age of five that resulted in pentaplegia. She has limited movement in her arms, requires a ventilator to breathe, and has limited movement of her tongue, making speech difficult. Despite her condition, the 14-year-old is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and self determination, all of which are traits characteristic of the Paralympic Spirit.

Donovan Tildesley               Run Time: 11:42 am

Donovan Tildesley is totally blind and is an exemplary role model for any athlete, with or without a disability. He has been a leader in his sport of swimming for three Paralympics, as well as competing at numerous other events in his sport career.  His position as the Canadian flag bearer in Beijing was an appropriate recognition of his significant contributions to blind and disabled sport in his community.

Craig McCord                    Run Time: 12 noon

Craig McCord has been a part of the Paralympic Movement for the last 10 years, five of those years as a coach of a Paralympic Gold Medalist swimmer and the last five as the National Coach of Swimming/Natation Canada’s Para-swimming Program. On a daily basis he is engaged in working with some of Canada’s Paralympic Athletes and it has taught him that nothing is impossible.

Bonnie Friesen          Run Time: 12:30 pm

Bonnie Friesen is a trained recreation therapist and has been working for the Vancouver Park Board for the past 30 years.  She believes in recreation for all regardless of their ability.  Bonnie understands and appreciates the courage and determination it takes to excel in sport and to achieve one’s goals.  She is also a strong advocate in the areas of access and inclusion.

Vancouver 24-hour Relay at Robson Square Mar 11 - 12, 2010 2 pm - 2 pm

Paul Gauthier           Run Time: March 11 at 3 pm

Paul Gauthier is a four-time Paralympian in the sport of boccia.  At the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens he won the Gold medal in individual competition and bronze with his teammate in Pairs.  His individual Gold was the first for a Canadian in boccia at the Paralympics.  His most recent gold was at the 2007 Boccia World Cup which was held in Vancouver.  Paul's mission is to break down barriers so that people with disabilities can do whatever they please - in sports, at work and in life.     


Sarah Cheung            Run Time: March 11 at 7 pm

Sarah Cheung was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two and was not expected to live to school age. Now 17 years old, Sarah brings to her life a positive spirit and with hard work and determination, she is consistently on the Principal's List in high school, attaining 90% or above in each subject area.  Sarah has made presentations to UBC student teachers on the experience of being a disabled student in the educational system.     


Ann Carr                        Run Time: March 12 at 8:20 am

Ann Carr is a strong leader in the community, a parent, and founder and Executive Director of the Developmental Challenged Youth Basketball Association. Her work as a volunteer exemplifies all the values of the Paralympic Spirit: fair play, friendship, competitiveness, and refusal to give up.  She believes in personal and social growth through sport and believes in creating opportunities for young people with disabilities regardless of their ability.


Betty Harris    Run Time: March 12 at 10:52 am

Betty Harris started working for the City of Vancouver in June, 1962, in tabulating, now called Information Technology.  She has worked at a number of different positions in the City and is currently working mainly at City Hall’s Information Kiosk. In the last few years she has enjoyed taking school children and ESL students on tours of the building.  Betty is the President of the 453 City Hall Curling Club, and treasurer of the Strathcona Park Golf Club.