October 26, 2007 – Blair McIntosh has been selected Chef de Mission for the Canadian team at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced today. McIntosh will lead all aspects of Team Canada’s preparation, ensuring Canadian athletes, coaches and managers are fully prepared to perform at the premiere sporting event for athletes with a physical disability in just under two and a half years.

“It is an honour and a privilege to have been chosen,” said McIntosh, of Toronto, ON. “This is the first time in the history of the Paralympic Winter Games that Canadian Paralympians will be able to compete on home turf. Canada is renowned for its excellence both on and off the Paralympic field of play and now our athletes have the opportunity to showcase their talents right here at home. I’m very excited for the athletes, team members and the CPC, and look forward to sharing this chance to showcase the Paralympic Movement in Canada.”

Currently the Director of Games for the Sport Alliance of Ontario, McIntosh has been a pivotal games consultant or mission staff leader to more than 30 major Games, including the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, 11 Canada Games and the 2000 World Women’s Hockey Championships. He has been the Ontario Team Chef de Mission at the Canada Games four times, and was Host Chef for the 2001 Canada Summer Games held in London, ON, when he received an award for outstanding leadership. At the 2007 Canada Games in Whitehorse, YK, McIntosh led the Ontario Team, which won the Claude Hardy Award as the provincial or territorial team best exhibiting leadership, cooperation, integrity and esprit de corps.

Prior to joining the Sport Alliance of Ontario in 2005, McIntosh was the manager of Sport Tourism for the City of London, ON, a position he assumed in September 2003. Previous to that, he worked 23 years in the Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ontario government.

One of his first duties as 2010 Chef de Mission was participating today in a site visit of the 2010 Paralympic facilities. He toured the Whistler Nordic Venue, Whistler Paralympic Village and Whistler Creekside this morning, and is due to visit the UBC Winter Sports Center, Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park and the Vancouver Paralympic Village this afternoon.

“I am excited that Blair has joined Team Canada for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games,” said CPC President Carla Qualtrough. “He will be an invaluable asset to the leadership of our Mission Team as the Canadian team works toward its goal of finishing among the top three countries in the world. Blair is a great team leader and administrator who is also an enthusiastic advocate for sport for people with a physical disability.”

McIntosh’s initial key priorities as Chef de Mission include finalizing the budget and operational plans for the Canadian team at the 2010 Games, selecting key volunteer Mission Staff and meeting with athletes and coaches.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games run March 12-21, 2010.

About Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, charitable, private organization that is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The CPC delivers programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada, including sending Canadian teams to the Paralympic Games. The CPC empowers persons with physical disabilities, through sport, at all levels. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.