Checking in with Paralympians: Summer athletes start to focus on Tokyo

Athletes staying safe in training environment
renee foessel

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: 

Renee Foessel is currently ranked third in the world in the F38 classification in discus. Learn how she developed to be among the top in the world in her event in this article by veteran journalist David Grossman.

 

 

During the pandemic, Canadian athletes have needed to be creative to maintain their high training standards. Christina Picton, a Para ice hockey player and Para nordic skier, capitalizes on some cold weather to work on her sliding.

 

 

Meanwhile the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario reminds its athletes to follow public guidelines while training, as exemplified by wheelchair rugby player Eric Rodrigues.

 

 

Mélanie Labelle of Canada’s national wheelchair rugby team is the star in a latest advertisement for women’s clothing retailer Reitmans and its activewear line.

 

 

Para swimmer Angela Marina gained some valuable experience as well as three medals, including two gold, at the 2019 Parapan American Games. Now she is chasing a spot on the 2021 Paralympic Games team.