The City of Kamloops is challenging swimmers to complete 1.6 million 25-metre pool lengths to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion tour. The goal is equal to the distance Hansen covered in his wheelchair-bound trek through 34 countries and four continents in 1986 to 1987. The tour raised $26 million for spinal cord research and quality of life initiatives.
“We’ve set the bar high so we’re going to need all of the help we can get,” says Glen Cheetham, Aquatics Program supervisor with the City of Kamloops. “Our local club and master swimmers will contribute a great deal, but we will need every Kamloops swimmer to contribute to meet our goal and to honour Rick Hansen’s spirit.”
Those participating in “Kamloops Swimmers in Motion” can log their laps at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Westsyde Pool and the Downtown YMCA-YWCA until March 29, 2012, the day Rick Hansen’s 25th Anniversary Relay arrives in Kamloops.
The relay started on Aug. 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Nfld., and is retracing the Canadian leg of Hansen’s Man in Motion tour. This time, however, one man in motion will be represented by as many as 7,000 Canadians in motion.
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