Bonn, Germany - As the entire media team of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will soon be heading to Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, all preparations are in their final stages. The Games do not begin for another 11 days, however various tools and channels are already in place to relay as much information as possible to Paralympic fans around the world.

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), and the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), yesterday announced that Sam Sullivan will be Canada's Paralympic Ambassador and also announced additional funding for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Leading North West football players were today on hand to help welcome Football 7-a-side to the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup. Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given and Burnley FC players Wade Elliott and Michael Duff took part in a sport demonstration at the Manchester Arndale with members of the British Football 7-a-side team to highlight the sport.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, is pleased to announce the corporation has become an Official Sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and a Worldwide Paralympic Partner of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The sponsorship announcement was made today by Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing for Samsung Electronics, Sir Philip Craven, IPC President and Ward Chapin, VANOC Chief Information Officer.

Capture a piece of the magic and be there in person as Canadian and Paralympic history is made on 12 March as the world’s best winter Paralympians are officially welcomed during the dazzling and awe-inspiring Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

From 19-21 March, the IPC Academy Accessibility Summit "Helping to Build an Accessible Future" will take place in Vancouver, Canada, on the occasion of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Representatives from a total of 21 different Paralympic sports attended last week’s Classification meeting in Bonn, Germany.