Checking in with Paralympians: Para sport grabs the headlines

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: 

Two of the biggest Canadian stories this year in Para sport occurred this past week.
First the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced that Paralympic Games sit-skiing champion

Josh Dueck of Vernon, B.C. is the Canadian Paralympic Team’s chef de mission for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

Dueck spoke to major media across Canada. Here are some samples.

Chef de mission Josh Dueck relishes challenges 2022 Paralympics pose. My story: @Sportsnet https://t.co/injAmDzYXE

— Lori Ewing (@Ewingsports) December 2, 2020

Josh Dueck is the chef for 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, but it’s a family mission https://t.co/wOBMGe0UOK Via @sportsdanbarnes pic.twitter.com/kp2K00Tvli

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) December 2, 2020

Meanwhile, Wheelchair Basketball Canada announced on International Day of Persons with Disabilities that the 2026 world championships for men and women will be held in Ottawa. It’s anticipated it will be the biggest team worlds in Para sport history.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a congratulatory message: 

Our thanks to Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau for supporting today’s announcement on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. #IDPD

We believe the #Ottawa2026 @_IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships will help build a more inclusive world through sport. #Inclusion pic.twitter.com/g6tRZ6D6x2

— Wheelchair Basketball Canada (@WCBballCanada) December 3, 2020

Ottawa to host Wheelchair Basketball World Championships https://t.co/3PcQaF63ys pic.twitter.com/kuyYGFw10v

— Ottawa Citizen (@OttawaCitizen) December 6, 2020

NEW: Wheelchair Basketball World Championships coming to Ottawa in 2026 #ottnews https://t.co/QR5UhTfTx8

— CTV Ottawa (@ctvottawa) December 3, 2020

Hockey Canada featured Tyler McGregor in a gripping story about his ups and downs through a tough battle with cancer and becoming one of the great Para ice hockey players in the world.

“The hardest part wasn’t overcoming cancer. I had all the love, support and resources in the world to fight that battle. The hardest part was overcoming myself.”@HC_Para captain @tylermcgregor08 talks about his cancer battle, and how para hockey gave him direction.#IDPD2020

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 3, 2020

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, World Curling spoke to two of wheelchair curling’s great, Canada’s own Mark Ideson as well as Sweden’s Viljo Petersson-Dahl.

FEATURE | To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities we spoke to two of our most recent World Wheelchair medallists, Canada’s Mark Ideson and Sweden’s Viljo Petersson-Dahl

Read what they have to say: https://t.co/Xm6y1jUiUY #IDPD2020 #IDPWD2020

— World Curling (@worldcurling) December 3, 2020