20th Défi sportif for athletes with disabilities: Participation levels shatter previous record!

Montreal, April 8, 2003 - With 15 days yet remaining before the 20th Défi sportif, over 2300 athletes are already registered to compete for gold in one of 16 adapted sports at three main venues: Centre sportif Claude-Robillard, Centre Pierre-Charbonneau and Collège de Maisonneuve, between April 23 – 27, 2003.

According to Monique Lefebvre, founder and executive-director of the Défi sportif, the level of participation demonstrates that all the effort leading up to this year’s record number of athletes was well spent:

“We have far surpassed our goals in terms of registration, and this is no doubt due to the collaborative environment between our organization and the many sports federations we now have ongoing contact with. The event is further extending itself into, and receiving more recognition within, national and international spheres. For many athletes, it has become a springboard onto the international scene.”

Among the new associations this year, special mention goes to Quebec Special Olympics, who now have an agreement with the Défi sportif to promote the Track & Field, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Swimming Classics. The agreement is structured to encourage increased participation in sports among athletes with an intellectual disability, while at the same time providing them with the financial means to achieve that goal. In 2003, 300 Special Olympics athletes will compete in the three “classic” events, which will be held on Saturday, April 26th.

In addition to the many international-calibre athletes, the Défi sportif will host approximately 1000 young people with disabilities from 20 specialized schools who will give it their all during the competition’s scholastic sports days. “This aspect of our event is also increasing in popularity,” adds Monique Lefebvre. “Physical Education teachers are getting more involved and devoting their time and energy to encourage youngsters to live active lives. After a year of practice, their reward is to compete at the Défi sportif.”

Many events have added significance in this 20th anniversary year. The two top-ranked teams in the world (Canada and the U.S.) will meet in a women’s goalball showdown. An official selection process in men’s goalball and boccia will take place at the Défi sportif, whereby certain athletes competing in those events will be chosen to represent Canada at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. And for the first time, nearly 70 athletes with a cranial traumatism will participate in a ball hockey tournament, on Thursday, April 24th, as well as in swimming events, on Sunday, April 27th.

To enhance the ambiance surrounding the competition, a touch of culture has also been added to the programme in 2003: an art exhibition from Belgium, organized by Passe-muraille. Entitled Un monde de différence it is an exploration into the social and sensory experiences of artists with disabilities, be they physical, intellectual, or otherwise. The exhibition is intended to stimulate reflection on our differences as human beings, in an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance of others.

Presented by Hydro-Québec, the 20th Défi sportif for athletes with disabilities is made possible thanks to the support of its many valued partners and sponsors. The event also benefits greatly from the contributions of its official spokespersons, Chantal Petitclerc, Jean-Pierre Coallier, Jean-Marie Lapointe, and the newest member of their team, Debra Arbec of CFCF News. Joining them in speaking on behalf of the event are the National Bank of Canada Défi sportif Champions, athletes selected to represent their sport before the public and the media.

Over 550 volunteers will be on hand at the three main competition venues to help make this the largest sports event to welcome athletes from all disability groups. The Défi sportif is organized by AlterGo, a Montreal-based association whose mission is to promote social integration and accessibility in recreation for persons with disabilities.

The Défi sportif, that’s action -- for 20 years and counting!

For more information on the Defi sportif: www.defisportif.com