Canadian Paralympians share valuable advice in Team Canada Champions Chat

MONTREAL – Perseverance, goal setting, and preparation are important not only for future athletes but anyone seeking self-improvement, and questions about these topics and more were answered by Canadian Olympians and Paralympians on Wednesday during the first Team Canada Champions Chat held at the Canadian Olympic Committee office in Montreal.

Twenty-time Paralympic Games medallist Benoit Huot was host of the French chat, which featured Paralympic guests Camille Bérubé and Hervé Lord, while figure skater Tessa Virtue took on hosting duties for the English chat, including Paralympians Josh Dueck and Priscilla Gagné.

Team Canada Champion Chats is a nationwide education program designed to empower Canadian students to focus on themes including embracing challenges, mental health, diversity and inclusion, achieving goals, and ultimately become a champion in their community.

‘’This is such an amazing initiative and I’m so honoured to have been a part of it! So thankful for the teachers to sign their classes up, and for all the participants who were so open and honest!’’ tweeted Gagné, a Canadian Para judo champion. 

Dueck was asked by a student how he prepared right before a competition at the Paralympic Games.

‘’You need to perform in the moment and take pride in the journey,’’ said Dueck, a Paralympic champion sit skier. ‘’The reward is intrinsic to the effort. When you’ re at the gate you should tell yourself that you’ve prepared and go and enjoy the opportunity.’’

This is the first-ever joint partnership between the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Classroom Champions. Click here for more information and to sign up for the next chat.