Disability sport in Canada is currently on a huge high after the Vancouver Winter Paralympics last year saw Canada finish third on home soil and the team's London 2012 Chef de Mission Gaétan Tardif wants to keep the momentum going with a strong display next year.

"This is a special time for Paralympic sport around the world as athletes and coaches prepare for London," said Tardif.

"It was during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games when many Canadians got to know their Paralympic athletes a bit better.

"Now, building off those home Games in Vancouver, we want to sustain that same level of excellence, spirit, success and support for our Canadian Paralympians all the way to London."

Canadian T52 wheelchair racing star Michelle Stilwell (pictured) is one of the team's biggest gold medal prospects in London and admits it is an exciting time with one year to go the the start of the Paralympics.


"It's hard to believe there is just one year remaining until the Games," said the 37-year-old, who already has three Paralympic gold medals in her collection.

"The upcoming year will be filled with hard work, attention to detail, travel, focus and passion as Canadian athletes prepare to be the best in the world in London.

"I think I can speak for all Canadian athletes that we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to make Canadians proud - and we are so grateful for our coaches, sponsors, training facilities and funding that allow us to excel on the world stage.

At Beijing 2008 Canada finished seventh on the medal table with 50 medals, 19 of which were gold.

Before London 2012, Canada will compete at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games in November which will act as a qualifier for London for team sports.

Meanwhile in celebration of the one year to go mark, the the Canadian Paralympic Committee is running an online contest at www.facebook.com/CDNParalympics with prizes and launched a London 2012 video that can be viewed by clicking here. 

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