Canadian athletes on PARALYmpic BRONZE MEDALs

Ottawa – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated archer Norbert Murphy on his bronze medal in Men’s Individual Compound (W1), and track and field athlete Jason Dunkerley and his guide runner Joshua Karanja on their bronze medal performance in the Men’s 1,500-metre (T11) event at the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London .

“On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Norbert Murphy, Jason Dunkerley and Joshua Karanja on their bronze medal-winning performances today,” said the Prime Minister. “Their success here in London is a testament to the fact that hard work and determination really do pay off.”

Norbert Murphy was born in Montréal , Quebec , and resides in Vaudreuil-Dorion , Quebec . He is a three-time Paralympian – having competed in the Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008 Games – and this is his first Paralympic medal. In 2012, Mr. Murphy won a silver medal at the Stoke-Mandeville International Invitational in England , and a silver at the Czech Target international para-archery tournament in Nové Město nad Metují , Czech Republic .

Jason Dunkerley was born in Newtownards , Ireland , and resides in Ottawa , Ontario . He is a four-time Paralympian and this is his fourth Paralympic medal, having won a silver in Sydney , a silver in Athens and a bronze in Beijing . In 2011, Mr. Dunkerley won a silver medal and a bronze at the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara , Mexico , and a gold medal at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in New Zealand . In 2007, he won two gold medals at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil .

Joshua Karanja was born in Nairobi , Republic of Kenya , and resides in Ottawa , Ontario . He is competing in the London Games as guide runner for Jason Dunkerley. This is his first time representing Canada at the Paralympic Games, and his first Paralympic medal. Mr. Karanja is a former NCAA track and field steeple chase All-American athlete and has been training with Mr. Dunkerley since summer 2011.

The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games are being held from August 29 to September 9 in London , United Kingdom . Canada is being represented by more than 145 athletes who are competing in 15 sports. More than 4,000 athletes from 125 countries are participating in the largest ever Paralympic Games.

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