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Paralympian inspires children to achieve excellence
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Prince George, B.C., January 15, 2010 — Today, Paralympic athlete Gord Tuck speaks to over 300 local children about the importance of workplace health and safety and achieving excellence in sport. Tuck's presentation is part of SportZ Xtravaganza — two week-long events that celebrate Olympic and Paralympic values.
"My life changed when I was injured at work," says Tuck. "I lost a leg, but my disability hasn't kept me from achieving success."
Tuck speaks as a member of the WorkSafeBC Paralympic speaker program — a joint initiative between WorkSafeBC and the Canadian Paralympic Committee that allows Paralympians who were injured at work to share their experiences about becoming world-class athletes and champions for workplace safety.
At 18, Tuck was crushed between a large log and some heavy machinery. During his rehabilitation, he took up skiing to help rebuild strength and coordination in his remaining leg. Initially a hobby, skiing became a life-long passion that led to an impressive athletic career: Tuck has represented Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games and won medals at World Championships.
“We are so proud to have Gord here with us today. With over 300 children from Prince George visiting our local Olympic legacy facility, it is no doubt that Gord’s story will inspire many to pursue their own dreams,” says Kristen Harrott, General Manager of PacificSport Northern BC.
Held the week of January 11 and repeated in the week of February 8, SportZ Xtravaganza fosters positive sport values while engaging youth in sport. Almost 2,000 local elementary school children participate in various activities that promote ideals such as respect, courage and determination.
The network of PacificSport Centres, in partnership with Canadian Sport Centre Pacific, delivers sport performance programs to help athletes and coaches win medals for Canada. Working in support of our national, provincial and regional sport partners PacificSport is creating a stronger system for the development of athletes, coaches, performance enhancement teams, and sport performance facilities.
WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves about two million workers and more than 200,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.
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For more information, contact: |
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| Gladys Johnsen |
Kristen Harrott General Manager PacificSport Northern BC Tel: 250 960-5346 |