The provincial government proclaimed Feb. 16, 2011 as “Maëlle Ricker Day” beginning a program to recognize recognize British Columbia’s medal-winning athletes from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, says Colin Hansen, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance.
The Province will proclaim recognition days for every B.C. athlete who won a medal during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes will be recognized on the one-year anniversary of their medal-winning performance.
Athletes who won multiple medals will receive a day proclaimed in their honour on the one-year anniversary of their first medal victory and acknowledgement of their additional medal victories.
March 21 will be proclaimed “Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day” to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by volunteers in making the Games the most successful Winter Olympics ever.
Eight proclamations will be made recognizing 17 British Columbian athletes who won medals individually or as members of a team and those who served as volunteers during the Olympics or Paralympics: Maëlle Ricker Day (Feb. 16), Ashleigh McIvor Day (Feb. 23), Chris Le Bihan and Denny Morrison Day (Feb. 27), Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Brent Seabrook, Roberto Luongo and Shea Weber Day (Feb. 28), Josh Dueck and Lindsay Debou Day (March 13), Lauren Woolstencroft and Karolina Wisniewska Day (March 15), Ina Forrest, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour Day (March 20), Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day (March 21).