Canadian Paralympian And Laywer Carla Qualtrough Elected Vice-president Of Americas Paralympic Committee

OTTAWA, Oct. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Paralympian Carla Qualtrough (Delta, B.C.), has been elected Vice President of the Americas Paralympic Committee's Governing Board at the Americas Paralympic Committee General Assembly in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"I am very excited about assuming this new role," said Qualtrough. "Over the next few years, the eyes of the world will be on the Americas region as we head into the TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. This is an excellent time to build capacity in the Americas and increase opportunities for athletes with a disability to participate in sport. I am very grateful to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for their support."

Qualtrough won three bronze medals in swimming at the 1988 and 1992 Paralympic Games and now works as a lawyer. She is Vice Chair/Adjudicator at the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal of British Columbia. The election took place on Friday, Oct. 18. The position is a four year term.

"We are extremely pleased that Carla was elected to the APC Executive," said Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Canada is very committed to supporting the Pan American region for Paralympic sport and Carla's leadership will certainly help support the growth of Paralympic sport, from the grassroots to the podium. Her experience as a past President of the CPC and her work with both the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games and the TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games all provide extensive experience and perspective for her leadership in this role."

Qualtrough previously worked as legal counsel for both the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Among her many appointments, she was the International Paralympic Committee's Legal Officer for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and has been on the International Paralympic Committee's Legal and Ethics Committee since 2002.

Qualtrough was President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee from 2006 to 2010, worked for the 2010 Legacies Now Society as Director of Inclusion, and is on the TORONTO 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games Sport & Legacy Committee. A mission staff member at four Paralympic and two Commonwealth Games, Qualtrough has won numerous leadership and academic awards.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)