Ottawa, June 16, 2021 – At a meeting with officials from the City of Misawa and Dentsu, held on Monday, June 14^th, Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) announced that it will not hold a Staging Camp prior to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as previously planned.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, said WRC CEO Catherine Cadieux, but the health and safety of our friends in Misawa and the citizens of Aomori Prefecture must be the first priority.  The venues used by Team Canada during our visits to Misawa are currently being used as a COVID Vaccination Centre and overflow medical facility and we cannot, and would not, ask that this use be paused for our benefit.”

“I want to thank Mayor Kohiyama and former Mayor Taneichi for their commitment to our athletes, coaches and team support staff.  Our team’s experience in Misawa has been extraordinary and one of the highlights of my tenure with Wheelchair Rugby Canada, said President Laurel Crosby.”

The Legacy of Inclusivity that has been built in Misawa as the result of our partnership will be long lived.  And it is hoped that the Legacy of WRC’s partnership with the City of Misawa will extend beyond the Games in Tokyo with another opportunity to train and compete in friendly matches in the future.

ABOUT MISAWA CITY

Misawa City is located in the southeastern part of Aomori Prefecture, facing the picturesque Pacific Ocean to the east and Lake Ogawara to the west. The area stretches 11 km from east to west and 25 km from north to south, with a total land area of 119.87 km. Its flatland area is blessed with rich nature such as Hotokenuma, a site designated by the Ramsar Convention as one of the important wetlands of the world.

ABOUT WHEELCHAIR RUGBY CANADA

Wheelchair Rugby Canada is the national governing body for the Canadian Heritage Sport of wheelchair rugby. Wheelchair Rugby Canada strives to be a world-leader in wheelchair rugby, a respected advocate for wheelchair athletes and a visionary organization committed to excellence in programs from recruitment to retirement.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ben Parker-Jones
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Wheelchair Rugby Canada
ben@wheelchairrugby.ca or 613-523-0004