Encore appearance by Canada’s Paris Paralympic and Olympic teams a special moment for athletes

Photos: Adam Scotti, PM’s Office

Decorated for their achievements, honoured by their country and beloved by their nation, the Paris 2024 Paralympic and Olympic teams united on Wednesday in the Nation’s Capital.

After two Games hijacked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Paris 2024 not only returned the Paralympic and Olympic Games to former glory but established both Games as a gathering assembly and refuge for peace, diversity and inclusion.

Three months later, the Paris vibe is still reverberating with Canada’s athletes. Decked in their red Team Canada attire, Paralympians and Olympians became one entity for this day to put the final polish on an exceptional performance and experience at Paris 2024. Since 1992, the Olympics and Paralympics have been held in the same host city two weeks apart.

“The room is electric,” said Allison Lang, a member of Canada’s bronze medal winning women’s sitting volleyball team, during a reception at the Sir John A. MacDonald Building which would be followed by a recognition in the House of Commons.

“It is amazing to see everyone that has represented Canada at the summer Games. It’s been nice to connect again with our teammates and celebrate all together.’’

Among those beaming the proudest in the historic chamber built in 1842 were Canada’s co-chefs de mission for the Paralympic Games, Josh Vander Vies and Karolina Wisniewska, both Paralympians as well.

‘’What a great privilege to be recognized by our country,” said Vander Vies, a bronze medallist in boccia at the 2012 Paralympics and now Director, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

‘’Our team poured its hearts out in Paris and it’s so nice to be seen today at home.’’

Wisniewska, an eight-time Paralympic medallist in Para alpine skiing (she competed in 1998, 2002, and 2010), was very moved by the gathering.

‘’It’s very special for our athletes to celebrate the Olympians and Paralympians at the same time,’’ she said. ‘’It’s become a full circle moment to conclude Paris 2024 with this moment. Paris 2024 was like nothing I have ever seen before and went beyond anything we could have hoped for.’’

Greg Stewart, who successfully defended his men’s shotput title in Paris, says the Paralympics, through Paris, have come of age.

‘’I’m very grateful as a Paralympian, then being here with all the Olympians, and just seeing all of us have a common ground,” he said. ‘’We’ve been able to share very similar experiences, it’s been nice because it just normalizes what’s going on.

‘’We’re not seen as different. We’re all equals, and it’s been a cool experience.”