The Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, today congratulated Contessa Scott of Clyde River, along with Canada’s medal winning athletes from the 2004 Athens Paralympic Summer Games on receiving the King Clancy Award recently in Toronto. The Kings Clancy Award was established in 1986 by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons to honour the generosity of spirit of the late Toronto Maple Leafs legend King Clancy. The award is presented each year to individuals whose achievements and contributions have furthered the goal of full participation and inspired others to reach their true potential.

“It is my pleasure to congratulate Contessa and Canada’s medal winning athletes from the 2004 Paralympic Games on receiving this recognition,” said Minister MacFadyen. “In addition to athletic ability, this award recognizes contributions these individuals have made to sport and the disabled community. I am sure that all Islanders join me in congratulating Contessa on this important award. We are very proud of you!”

On Saturday, February 12, 2005, Contessa’s mother, aunt and cousin, as well as hundreds of friends and supporters of the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, gathered at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel for the awards banquet.

Contessa, who plays winger with the Canadian Goalball team, won her second Gold medal at the Athens Paralympics in 2004 following up on the team’s gold medal performance at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. Contessa is a former Junior Athlete of the Year, a two-time Senior Athlete of the Year and recipient of the prestigious Lieutenant-Governor’s Award.

The Canadian Women’s Goalball team have also been nominated for “Canadian Female Team of the Year”, along with the beach volleyball team and the wheelchair basketball team, bronze medalists at the 2004 Paralympics, by the True Sport Foundation. The winners will be announced on March 29, 2005, in Toronto.

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