Checking in with Paralympians: Achievements recognized

Canada’s Paralympians are staying busy, getting back to training, sharing their stories and opinions on social media, and more. We will check in regularly with what the nation’s Para athletes have been up to and share some of the top highlights here. 

Here’s a quick look at some recent updates: 

Last week Erica Gavel was elected vice-chair of the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council by her fellow council members. A member of the women’s national wheelchair basketball team, her achievement was recognized in her home province.

P.A.’s Erica Gavel elected vice-chair of Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council https://t.co/NQE8jKtMWo pic.twitter.com/BoygdhiVxM

— paNOW (@princealbertnow) January 29, 2021

Multiple Paralympic Games medallist Mac Marcoux and his guide Tristan Rodgers gave us a fascinating look into the world of visually impaired alpine skiing in a short film called Blind Faith. 

| BLIND FAITH

Check out this awesome movie about para-alpine star, Gold medallist, #CSIPacific reg’d athlete @mac_marcoux & guide Tristan Rodgers of @Alpine_Canada @CDNParalympics

(our staff & #HighPerformance gym even make some guest appearances )https://t.co/xE0KZBHCs4 pic.twitter.com/B151rpn1AH

— CDN Sport Institute (@csipacific) January 26, 2021

Canada’s Para ice hockey team held its training camp last week in Calgary. Here are some highlights from the Red and White game. Fourteen players attended the camp which ran from January 16-26.

Highlights from the final RED (5) vs. WHITE (0) scrimmage last night at para camp.@CanadianTire | https://t.co/TV4O3JtJY0 pic.twitter.com/sPxyT4dwoW

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 26, 2021

Tristen Chernove, a triple medallist at the 2016 Paralympic Games, was honored in January at the BC Cycling Awards. He received the award for Greatest Achievement by an Individual. He became the first Para athlete last summer to complete the BC Epic 1000 from Fernie to Merritt raising $30,000 for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada.

A real classy move by @CyclingBC recognizing @TristenChernove for ‘Greatest Achievement by an Individual’. Often award structures can perpetuate indirection discrimination, awesome to see this understood. I hope this drives change with others. https://t.co/1dEh20FGye

— Ross Wilson (@88rossco) January 25, 2021

Nathan Riech continues to be one of Canada’s most sought-after Para athletes. The middle distance running world champion and world record holder was guest on the For the Long Run podcast recently.

“Having those tough moments allows you to enjoy the ups.”
– @NateGraywolf https://t.co/uOsmEP0Rq1

— For The Long Run Podcast (@ForTheLRPod) January 19, 2021