The Canadian goverment has pledged a further US$11.3 million in funding for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.

The bulk of the contribution will go towards the delivery of the Games, with US$1.89 million helping to fund the TV broadcast. The total federal contribution to the Paralympics is now around US$30.2 million.
 
Heritage Minister James Moore made the announcement on Thursday at a press conference which also saw the appointment of former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan as Canada's ambassador to the Games.

Elsewhere, Samsung will become an official partner of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games as part of an extension of their existing deal as a worldwide partner of the International Paralympic Committee. The Korean electronics giant's association with the IPC will now run to the end of the Rio Games in 2016. Samsung will provide mobile telecommunications services for Paralympic organisers and athletes, as well as marketing support.

Gyehyun Kwon, vice president and head of worldwide sports marketing for Samsung Electronics, said: "We are honoured and delighted to become a worldwide Paralympic partner of the IPC and official sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The Paralympic Games are about making accessibility a priority, and Samsung is fully committed to the vision of the IPC, which is 'To Enable Paralympic Athletes to Achieve Sporting Excellence and Inspire and Excite the World.'"

1,350 Paralympic athletes and officials are expected in Vancouver for the 2010 Games, which will feature five sports and run from 12th to 21st March.