Checking in with Paralympians: Saskatchewan Para athletes in the news

Canada’s Paralympians are staying busy, 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: 

Tanya Shevchenko, who had her right leg amputated below the knee in 2017, is aiming to one day earn a berth on the Canadian Paralympic team. Global News in Saskatoon met the Para dressage rider last week.

WATCH: Tanya Shevchenko hopes to compete in para-dressage at the 2024 Paralympics after having her right leg amputated below the knee — via @RFlahertyGlobal.
READ MORE: https://t.co/AH6Ipm56Xu pic.twitter.com/JefqEb8WCK

— Global Saskatoon (@GlobalSaskatoon) April 5, 2021

Six-time Paralympic Games wheelchair racing champion Lisa Franks is also from Saskatchewan, and she is currently president of the Saskatchewan Adaptive Mountain Bike Club. The club is raising funds to purchase new bikes they can loan out to help encourage people with a disability to try the sport.

Une championne paralympique en Saskatchewan recueille des fonds pour des vélos adaptés https://t.co/5ryxSCDbt5

— ICI Saskatchewan (@icisaskatchewan) April 10, 2021

There’s another Ouellet emerging on the Canadian Para running scene. Guillaume, of course, is a world champion and Paralympic medallist, now Benjamin Ouellet – no relation- is making noise as a Games hopeful.

Para nordic skier Mark Arendz, a six-time medallist at the 2018 Paralympic Games, shared his thoughts on an unusual 2020-21 season.

Conclusions from the season, aiming towards the next. https://t.co/jkTUenh0s3
An update after one strange year.
@fischersports #lekipoles @NordiqCanada @ownthepodium @ViewpointCMore #oakley @NordicMarksman @SkiuphillC #inov8

— Mark Arendz (@markarendz) April 10, 2021

Wheelchair Basketball Canada recently held a survey to determine its greatest team of all time. The votes are in and the honour goes to … the 2000 national women’s team! The squad won a remarkable third consecutive Paralympic Games gold in Sydney.

The votes are in… the Paralympic three-peat at #Sydney2000 has been voted the top #TeamCanada performance in wheelchair basketball history! ♿

Le triplé paralympique , à Sydney en 2000, a été choisi comme la meilleure performance d’Équipe Canada! ♿️ pic.twitter.com/P8lcGzsEKf

— Wheelchair Basketball Canada (@WCBballCanada) April 10, 2021