IDEA
Press Release - RICK
HANSEN – MAN IN MOTION – TO RECEIVE 2003 IDEA FITNESS INSPIRATION AWARD
 Back to 2003 Press Releases
San
Diego – Injured in an automobile accident that left him a paraplegic
at age 15, Rick Hansen saw his physical situation as a challenge to
overcome. Through perseverance and intensive rehabilitation, he continued
his studies and graduated from high school. Rick then refocused his
athletic abilities to master wheelchair sports and won 19 international
wheelchair marathons, including three world championships, and competed
for Canada in the 1984 Olympics. He also became the first student with
a physical disability to graduate in Physical Education from the University
of British Columbia.
In 1985,
with a desire to make a difference in how people with a disability are
perceived, Rick embarked on his record setting Man in Motion World Tour
and accomplished what many thought was an impossible goal: he became
the first and only person to wheel the circumference of the globe in
a wheelchair, travelling over 29,000 miles, through 34 countries on
four continents.
Today at
age 46, Rick Hansen is the President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Man
in Motion Foundation, an organization with a mission to accelerate improvements
in the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries. Since 1987,
the Vancouver, British Columbia-based Foundation has been a leader in
the field of spinal cord injury by raising millions of dollars for research,
public awareness and rehabilitation. In the spirit of that legendary
Tour, the Foundation is launching its signature awareness and fundraising
event, Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion on Saturday, June 14th for spinal
cord injury.
In recognition
of his courage, vision and the inspiration he gives to others, Rick
Hansen will be presented with the 2003 IDEA Fitness Inspiration
Award. This award recognizes individuals who have overcome great
physical adversity and gone on to include fitness in their lives while
providing inspiration to others. This award – along with four other
awards recognizing outstanding fitness professionals – will be given
at an awards ceremony in Anaheim, California on July 17, 2003 during
the IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention®. Propel
Fitness Water® is the Presenting Sponsor of the IDEA Health &
Fitness Awards.
The
IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention is the premier educational
event for health and fitness professionals and attracts over 4,000 participants
from more than 60 countries. The IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer
Convention, to be held in Anaheim, California, July 17 –20, 2003, is designed
for health and fitness professionals such as personal fitness trainers,
fitness facility managers and owners, group exercise leaders, and allied
health professionals. Sessions, workshops and workouts will feature in-depth
health and fitness educational opportunities with a focus on applied techniques
and programming. IDEA’s Senior Partners are Kashi®, Nautilus Health
& Fitness Group® and STOTT PILATES™.
IDEA is the world's
leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals
with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries. Since 1982, IDEA
has provided health and fitness professionals with pertinent information,
educational opportunities, career development programs and industry
leadership while helping them enhance the quality of life worldwide
through safe, effective fitness and healthy lifestyle programs. For
more information on IDEA events, publications, educational products,
member services or other activities, visit the IDEA website at: www.IDEAfit.com.
MEMBERS
OF THE NEWS MEDIA: To receive a brochure and schedule of events
for the IDEA World Fitness & Personal Trainer Convention, or to
receive a registration form for a complimentary press pass, contact
David Gilroy at: (858) 535-8979, ext. 262, or e-mail: gilroyd@IDEAfit.com
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