Four-time Paralympian Whitney Bogart confirms retirement from national goalball team

Canada’s women’s goalball team is headed to Calgary for an evaluation camp this week.

There’ll be a noticeable absentee: Whitney Bogart, a 19-year national team member, who confirmed her retirement this week concluding an incredible career at her fourth Paralympic Games in Paris.

‘’It’s going to be a big change for me,” said Bogart, 38, who grew up in Marathon, Ont. and now resides in Ottawa. ‘’With everyone travelling this weekend, this is the first time, aside from when I was pregnant, I won’t be going to a national team event in over 20 years.”

The mother of two had planned her retirement well in advance of Paris 2024. It was actually after Tokyo 2020 that she decided on one last quad.

It was a memorable one.

The Canadians upset the Americans at the Parapan Am Games in 2023 to grab the last berth for Paris then placed fifth in the French capital, its best result since 2012.

‘’It was such a special memory to be able to represent Canada,’’ said Bogart, a Team Canada world champion in 2006 and 2011. ‘’It’s something not everybody gets the opportunity to do.

‘’I did it with the best people I’ve ever met.”

Bogart and her teammate Amy Burk, both born with albinism, joined the national team in 2005. They’ve been inseparable ever since despite their different personalities. Her twin brother is married to Burk.

‘’It’s funny to look back on all the memories we’ve had together as young immature teenagers to full grown adults,’’ said Burk. ‘’There was never a dull moment when we were both together. She was never the type to be loud, obnoxious or vocal – she left that for me.

‘’She brought a sense of calm to the team; a teammate you could go and talk to at any time. She would sit and listen and let you rant about a poor performance or keep your mind off a stressful game.’’

The expression “taking one for the team” applies to Bogart. She actually took about 50 for the team each game. She sparkled in blocking shots at the net. Some opponents could throw the 2.75 pound basketball-size ball in the 50 KMH range.

‘’It’s not as bad as you would think,’’ said Bogart. ‘’The biggest thing was throws in the face. Not pleasant. But you’re playing aggressively, you’re moving, so not absorbing the throws as much.

‘’I’ve had sores on my hips and sides, sprained and bruised thumbs and even ball burns.

‘’But it’s fun.”

Meghan Mahon, a national team member since 2016, says defence is Bogart’s expertise.

‘’She always brought passion and a strong defensive presence in any position she played on court and our communication always came so natural,’’ said Mahon. ‘’Off the court, she brought a caring personality and leadership towards any player who walked into the program.’’

Few athletes can maintain the skill, fitness, and tenacity required for two-decade national team status.

‘’A key for me was staying on top of the changes in the sport,’’ said Bogart, who discovered her passion for goalball as a teenager at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind.

‘’I’ve played every position. You need to always be pushing yourself. You can’t do half the work, or someone is going to take your place.’’

Over the last four years, Bogart says there’s been a surge of interest in the sport at the national level thanks in part to the increased Games exposure.

‘’We thought London [2012] was well promoted but Paris was a whole other world,’’ she said. ‘’Everybody knew about the Games; it didn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s incredible how much the movement has grown.’’

With her kids aged seven and 11 and involved in sports like taekwondo, soccer and horseback riding, Bogart still finds time to remain involved in youth and Para sport. Her ultimate objective is to land a career in sport.

It is clear the bond between Bogart and her teammates will last a lifetime.

‘’I’m very thankful to have had Whitney as a teammate for 20 years,’’ said Burk. ‘’We knew what each other needed to be pushed to get to that next level.’’

Mahon concurs and knows this is not the last time she will see Bogart in the world of goalball.

‘’Even with her retirement, I know Whitney will not be a stranger to the sport and I am looking forward to supporting her on her next journey.”