Celebrating 25 years of Para Sport: Patrick Anderson makes international debut in 1997

Patrick Anderson today is known as one of the best wheelchair basketball players to ever grace the court. A three-time Paralympic champion, he is preparing to suit up for his fifth Paralympic Games this summer. 

But back in 1997, Anderson was just 17 years old and preparing to make his first big international appearance. He suited up for Canada at the U23 world championships, hosted on home soil in Toronto. It would ultimately be a glittering debut for the rising star.  

Anderson was named MVP as he led Canada to the gold medal, defeating the United States in the final.  

A year later, he was helping Canada to a bronze medal at the world championships, where he was named a tournament All Star. Now 41, Anderson is still one of the game’s best as he preps for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. His illustrious career includes four Paralympic medals (three gold, one silver), three world championship podiums (one gold, two bronze), and five Parapan Am Games medals (one gold, three silver, one bronze). 

This year, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Pfizer Canada are celebrating 25 years of supporting and promoting the Paralympic Movement together. Throughout 2021, we will look back on special sporting moments and milestones from each year of the partnership. 

Click here to read each moment so far.