The Power of Sport
Sport Unites! Sport has been known to transcend barriers and encourage people to overcome adversity.
CANADIAN CHAMPION
Perdita Felicien - As the heat poured on August 23, 2004 in Athens Greece, all eyes were focused upon Canadian hurdler Perdita Felicien. Perdita was touted as being a contender for the gold medal, renowned as one of the most technically proficient hurdlers in the world. No one would have anticipated when Perdita went down in the final of the 100-metre hurdles. In what Perdita self described as “…my worst nightmare come true”, Canadians from coast to coast rallied behind Perdita; an inspiration in graceful defeat. Perdita has displayed true sportsmanship in demonstrating to Canadians and the world that even the mightiest of us fall, but we pick ourselves back up, dust off and keep striving to our dreams. Again the eyes of the world will be focused on Perdita under the heat of the Beijing sun in 2008; to Canadians gold medal or not, Perdita is a true Ambassador of Sport.
SPORT ENABLESJason McElwain a 17 year old from Rochester, New York defied the odds in the winter of 2006. Jason who has high-functioning autism didn’t let his disability prevent his commitment and love of sport. Becoming the manager of the of the Greece Athena Basketball team, he boosted morale and inspired his troops on a daily basis. At the final senior night game Jason, known as ‘J-Mac’ by his peers, was given a jersey with the number 52 sewn on the back. In the final agonizing few minutes of the game ‘J-Mac’ went out onto the court. He made seven baskets from thirteen shots, scoring five points a minute and breaking school records. The school stormed the court after the final second and cheered J-Mac. The footage of this feat was sent to ESPN, and J-Mac through his inspiring story of overcoming odds in sport has been bombarded by offers from film companies and book publishers all competing to promote this powerful story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcF7DsaGTg8
