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:
Nordiq Canada held a media event last week on the first day of outdoor training for the 2020-21 season and multiple Paralympic Games medallists Brian McKeever and Mark Arendz were among the athletes in this report as they get ready for the final season before the 2022 Paralympic Games.
.@CdnPressVideo look at pandemic challenges @TeamCanada @CDNParalympics cross-country ski team faces in a big year in Winter Games quadrennial. https://t.co/Q2ya8VIMrR pic.twitter.com/6PKeNO66w8
— Donna Spencer (@DLSpencer10) October 23, 2020
At the same event, Paralympian Brittany Hudak also gave her impressions on what is an unusual season.
Paralympians turn attention toward Beijing Games https://t.co/mOr3gLuRKm pic.twitter.com/7rWdtFcgqA
— RockyMountainOutlook (@rmoutlook) October 23, 2020
At Kate O’Brien was a member of the 2016 Olympic cycling team. Since then there has been tragedy followed by triumph, as she made her Para cycling debut earlier this year and became a world champion. CBC.ca explains her story.
Thank you so much for the amazing write-up! https://t.co/iKW5VvMYBL
— Kate O'Brien (@empty_kate) October 23, 2020
Josh Vander Vies, assistant chef de mission for Canada at the Tokyo Paralympic Games and Paralympic medallist in boccia, took on the ParaTough Cup: Home Edition challenge by testing the waters in sitting volleyball. See how he did and then visit Paratoughcup.ca to find out how you can try it too.
25 hits in the @ParalympicFdnCA #Paratough cup home edition! Up next I challenge Sam Pedlow @melissa_hp10 @SamSchacter @SarahPavan and Ahren Cadieux.
— Josh Vander Vies (@joshvandervies) October 12, 2020
Text PARATOUGH to 41010 to make a $10, $20 or $25 donation today! Donation will be added to your phone bill + is tax deductible. pic.twitter.com/VGQ89n9JUg
Arinn Young, Canada’s standout women’s national team wheelchair basketball player was recently in the spotlight. She says she is still striving to be at the top of her game which is bad news for the rest of the world.
"I'm very competitive and I want my team and myself to be the best in the world." ♿️🏀🇨🇦
— Wheelchair Basketball Canada (@WCBballCanada) October 14, 2020
Team Canada wheelchair basketball player @Dah_Juice aspires to be at the top of her game. #AthleteSpotlight @ToyotaCanada @CDNParalympics @WSA_Alberta pic.twitter.com/oU9waBTtHc
In episode four of his learning to swim series for Radio-Canada, 20-time Paralympic medallist Benoit Huot explains the three types of essential training for improving your swimming skills.
The International Paralympic Committee is celebrating great moments from the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, which marks its 20-year anniversary this month. Canada was third in the overall medal standings and were a big part of the highlights. Here are some.
Likewise, Canada's women's team made it a hat-trick of Paralympic basketball titles, 1992, 1996 and 2000. Chantal Benoit climbing atop the hoop to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/YxkiRux6qN
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) October 18, 2020
C’était exactement il y a 20 ans aujourd’hui. Je gagnais le 800m à Sydney. Cette performance m’a demandé 8 ans de travail acharné et m’a fait réaliser l’importance de ne jamais abandonner. 😊🥇
— Chantal Petitclerc (@CPetitclerc) October 22, 2020
Great memories. 20 years ago at the #Sydney2000 Paralympic Games!@cbcsports pic.twitter.com/Ibfcccm10f
Sydney was the first Games for many of Canada’s biggest Paralympic stars including Stephanie Dixon, Benoit Huot, Patrick Anderson and wheelchair racer Michelle Stilwell, as she recalled in a tweet:
My first @Paralympics games with @CDNParalympics. What fantastic memories creating magical moments. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #DreamsComeTrue @ParalympicFdnCA @CanBball https://t.co/omJ9YFoj0v
— Michelle Stilwell (@Stilwell4BC) October 18, 2020
