Ottawa, Ontario–13 March 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Chris Williamson and guide Nicholas Brush on winning the bronze medal in para-alpine men's slalom (visually impaired) and Kimberly Joines for winning a bronze medal in para-alpine women's slalom (sitting) at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games:
"Today, I join Canadians from coast to coast to coast in congratulating Chris Williamson and guide Nicholas Brush for taking home a bronze medal in the para-alpine men's slalom (visually impaired) event. This is a great moment for our country and we are immensely proud of their outstanding performance.
"I would also like to congratulate Kimberly Joines on her stellar bronze-medal performance yesterday in the para-alpine women's slalom (sitting) event. Ms. Joines exemplifies grit, determination and amazing spirit."
Chris Williamson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and currently resides in Markham, Ontario. This is his fourth Paralympic medal in his fourth Paralympic Games. Mr. Williamson previously won a gold medal in slalom at the 2002 Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, a silver medal in downhill at the 2006 Games in Turin, and a bronze medal in super-G, also in Turin. He also competed in the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games. Mr. Williamson is one of the world's most decorated para-alpine athletes with 105 IPC World Cup podiums and 13 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championship medals, including two gold medals.
Nicholas Brush was born in Invermere, British Columbia, and currently resides in North Vancouver. This is his first Paralympic medal in his second Paralympic Games, having competed in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver as guide for para-alpine skier Chris Williamson. Mr. Brush started guiding Mr. Williamson in 2007, and together they were awarded the IPC World Cup Crystal Globe in 2009.
Kimberly Joines was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and currently resides in Rossland, British Columbia. This is her second Paralympic medal, having won a bronze medal in para-alpine super-G at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Turin. Ms. Joines is a two-time IPC World Champion and has attained the podium more than 40 times at IPC World Cup events between 2004 and 2013, including 22 wins.
