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IPC Announces `Athlete of the Month' Shortlist

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced its five strong shortlist for March's `Athlete of the Month' and has invited the public to vote for who they think should be the winner.

The `Athlete of the Month' award recognizes sporting excellence achieved by an individual athlete or team in the respective month. This month the shortlist consists of two female athletes, two male athletes and one team.

Members of the public have until Tuesday 5 April 2011 to cast their vote via www.facebook.com/ParalympicSport.TV.

The nominations are as follows:

Melissa Tapper (AUS)
The Australian Table Tennis player won two major events in March and is currently ranked 8 in the women class 10 ITTF world rankings.

Sarah Storey (GBR)
The two-times Paralympic Champion dominated the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Montichiari, Italty, winning two gold medals in the women's C5 class time trial and pursuit.

Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team
Team Canada with skip Jim Armstrong defended their title at the 2011 World Wheelchair Curling Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.

Sydwell Mathonsi (RSA)
Ranked 36 in the ITF world rankings, the South African Wheelchair Tennis player won the 2011 Sri Lankan Open.

Neil Fachie (GBR)
The visually impaired cyclist won two gold medals in the Tandem B Sprint and the Tandem B 1000m Time Trial at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Montichiari, Italty.

To vote log onto www.facebook.com/ParalympicSport.TV, click online polls before Tuesday 5 April.

Previous winners this year:

January: Yon Santacana, Spanish gold medal winning Alpine Skier
February: Team Italy - IPC Ice Sledge Hockey European Champions