Talent, commitment and leadership celebrated as six inductees named to Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame

OTTAWA, April 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Talent, commitment and leadership are being celebrated today as the Canadian Paralympic Committee announces the selection of six outstanding individuals to the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Athletes Robert Easton, Jennifer Krempien and Tim McIsaac; coach Tim Frick; and builders Janet Dunn and John Howe will be officially introduced at the Canadian Paralympic Committee Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony May 10 in Toronto.

"The amazing accomplishments of this group of six inductees have together broken records, made history, changed attitudes and created opportunities in parasport," said David Legg, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Thank you and sincere congratulations to these role models of the Canadian Paralympic Movement."

Initiated in 2000, the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Paralympic Movement in Canada. These individuals will be acknowledged within the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame Honoured Members section located in the Olympic and Paralympic Gallery at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary. The Canadian Paralympic Committee holds an induction process every two years, during a non-Paralympic Games year.

Athlete category:
Robert Easton (Edmonton, Alta.), athletics: Easton competed at the 1984 and 1988 Paralympic Summer Games, earning eight gold medals and one silver. He held and improved on every World Record for track & field events in his class for the period from 1982 to 1988. Full bio and photo, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/Robert-Easton-Athlete.html

Jennifer Krempien (Richmond, B.C., originally from St. Albert, Alta.), wheelchair basketball: Krempien was a member of Canada's powerhouse women's team from 1991 to 2008 and competed at all five Paralympic Games between 1992 and 2008, helping Team Canada win three Paralympic gold medals and one bronze. She was also on four world championship-winning teams from 1994 to 2006 and was a tournament all-star at the 1998 and 2002 worlds. Full bio and photo, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/Jennifer-Krempien-Athlete.html

Tim McIsaac (Winnipeg, Man.), swimming: McIsaac was one of Canada's top Paralympic Games medal producers in the 1980s. He won medals at four Paralympic Games: Toronto in 1976 (one gold, two silver, two bronze), Arnhem, the Netherlands in 1980 (four gold, one silver, two bronze), New York in 1984 (four gold, three silver) and Seoul in 1988 (six gold, three bronze). Full bio and photo, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/Tim-McIsaac-Athlete.html

Coach category:
Tim Frick (Pender Island, B.C.), wheelchair basketball: Frick once coached Rick Hansen and Terry Fox and was the head coach of Canada's national women's wheelchair basketball team from 1990 to 2009. He led Canada to an 11-year winning streak, an unprecedented three consecutive Paralympic gold medals (1992, 1996 and 2000) and four consecutive World Championship titles (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006). Full bio and photo, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/Tim-Frick-Coach.html

Builder category:
Janet Dunn (Victoria B.C., originally from Ogema, Sask.), athletics, swimming, wheelchair sports: A pediatric rehabilitation physiotherapist, Dunn's 40-year involvement in sport has mirrored the progress of athletes with a disability in Canada. In the 1990s Dunn was instrumental in the movement to allow swimmers with a disability to be integrated within national and provincial associations. She is also known for helping develop the classification system in swimming, which now serves as the international model. Full bio and photo, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/Janet-Dunn-Builder.html

John Howe (Brantford, Ont.), wrestling, goalball, judo, athletics: Howe has been a trailblazer for five decades for athletes with a visual impairment. Howe coached visually-impaired athletes at three Paralympic Games, two World Championships, three U.S. Nationals, 10 Canadian Championships and Paralympic trials, and the Ontario Summer Games between 1975 and 2011. Many of his high school athletes were successful at the Paralympic level, including Jacques Pilon, Ernie Lambier, Pier Morten, Bill Morgan and Jason Dunkerley. Full bio, click here: http://www.paralympic.ca/en/Inductees/John-Howe-Builder.html

Interviews with inductees may be arranged by contacting Alison Korn at the CPC: [email protected] Phone: 613-569-4333 ext. 243 / Cell: 613-298-4927

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 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 Paralympic athletes 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)