The British Columbia government is extending hearty congratulations to powerhouse Paralympic racer Michelle Stilwell for her second medal of the London Games, announced Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Stilwell, who hails from Nanoose Bay, won silver in the women's 100-metre (T52) track event with a time of 19.80 seconds. Belgium captured gold and the U.S. claimed bronze.

This is Stilwell's second medal of the Games. She won gold on Saturday in the women's 200-metre (T52) event with a time of 33.60 seconds, setting a new Paralympic record in the process.

Stilwell is a decorated veteran of the Paralympic Games. She won a gold medal in 2000 in women's wheelchair basketball, then went on to win gold medals in both the 100- and 200-metre track events at the Beijing 2008 Games.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"Michelle Stilwell is, without question, one of B.C.'s top athletes. Her remarkable success at the London 2012 Games fills all British Columbians with pride. Very few athletes win Paralympic medals; fewer still win more than one; and virtually none bring home medals in more than one sport. Michelle has accomplished all of these feats. She is an inspiration. On behalf of Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. government, I want to congratulate Michelle for her exceptional accomplishments."

Quick Facts:

• Michelle Stilwell was born in Winnipeg and resides in Nanoose Bay.
• Date of birth: July 4, 1974
• Stilwell won gold in both the women's 100- and 200-metre events at the 2008 Beijing Games, and gold in wheelchair basketball at the 2000 Sydney Games. She also won gold in Saturday's 200-metre (T52) event.
• Michelle is coached by Peter Lawless of Victoria, British Columbia.

Learn More:

London 2012: http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/

Canadian Paralympic Committee: http://paralympic.ca/

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
250 208-4028 (cell)