Discover Canada's Paralympic ‘Super Athletes’

Viviane Forest (CAN) competes in the Women's Visually Impaired Giant Slalom at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. © • Getty Images Sonja Gaudet (CAN) watches as Ina Forrest releases the stone during a Wheelchair Curling contest against Norway at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. © • Getty Images

"We're trying to change the way that people look at athletes who have disabilities and I'd love for this campaign to inspire people to step up their game in any aspect of their lives"

The Canadian Paralympic Committee has revealed the first four Paralympic athletes from winter sports to feature in a bold marketing campaign to promote the individuals and illustrate the highly competitive nature of the Paralympic Games.

The first four ‘Super Athletes’ feature in 45-second videos as part of a new series of distinctive vignettes where each athlete is given a nickname that resonates with attitude and is based on their specific competitive profile and character.

Cross-country skier Brian McKeever, a seven-time Paralympic gold medalist, is known as "The Professor." Wheelchair curler Sonja Gaudet, a Paralympic gold medalist from Vancouver 2010, is "The Brain." Sledge hockey national team player and Afghanistan veteran Dominic Larocque is dubbed "The Warrior” and alpine skier Viviane Forest, winner of five medals at the

Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games, is nicknamed "The Falcon."

"The vignettes grab viewers' attention by showing them a side of these Paralympic athletes they've never seen before," said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "The imagery is full of attitude and pride and it generates an inspirational, formidable, empowering feeling."

The ‘Super Athlete’ videos can be viewed at facebook.com/CDNParalympics and online at Paralympic.ca/superathletes.

A second "behind the scenes" video profile for every ‘Super Athlete’ explores how the athlete became involved in Paralympic Sport and what it means to them to represent their country, with the goal of inviting viewers to get involved.

Vignettes were produced by Liz Dussault of FamilyStyle, in collaboration with CTV, Canada's Olympic Broadcast Consortium.

"We're trying to change the way that people look at athletes who have disabilities and I'd love for this campaign to inspire people to step up their game in any aspect of their lives," explained Dussault. "These are athletes fighting for their country and there's no sympathy needed from anyone. It's just true, bold inspiration."

In April 2012, the Canadian Paralympic Committee will unveil its summer sport vignettes, featuring 15 athletes who will compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Summer Games.