More than 25 years after his historic Man in Motion World Tour travelling by wheelchair through 34 countries in 26 months, Rick Hansen is recreating the Canadian portion of the event with the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. This time, however, one man in motion will be represented by 7,000 people in motion from across Canada who’ve made a difference in the lives of others.
As the relay moves through each province, medal-bearers will pass along the Rick Hansen medal. One of those selected to run in the Kamloops leg of the relay is Sun Peaks’ adaptive ski racer, Pramod “Promo” Thapa. Jim Knowles, Thapa’s coach and mentor was thrilled when they received confirmation.
“It’s good stuff! We had been applying for about six months and as they start to get closer, they start picking the runners.”
Relay medal-bearers are chosen for their ability to make a difference in their communities by creating a more inclusive and accessible community, empowering youth for positive change, contributing to the protection and sustainability of the environment, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle or for their contribution in research or healthcare for the betterment of others.
“We sent Rick many reports of how Promo is doing and what an inspiration he is to all,” says Knowles. He received confirmation from the Rick Hansen Foundation in January that Thapa would carry the medal in Kamloops on March 29.
The Relay, which began at Cape Spear, Nfld., on Aug. 24, 2011 will travel through more than 600 communities before ending in Vancouver on May 22, 2012.
For more information on the 25th Anniversary Relay visit: www.rickhansen.com.
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