Paralympic news review: Bianca Borgella to build on Paralympic Games experience

OTTAWA – It was one of the most heartbreaking moments of the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Ottawa runner Bianca Borgella, a medal favourite in the women’s T13 100-m sprint for the visually impaired, appeared primed to make her biggest impact yet in Paris before a sellout crowd of 80,000 people in the Stade de France.

What we didn’t know at the time was that the 21-year-old had been battling a hamstring injury all season and it started to hurt again after her run in the morning preliminaries. The stress level was at its zenith for Borgella but like all great athletes she was not going to back down.

In the final, Borgella pulled up at around the 30-metre mark, grabbed at her left leg, and fell down. After a few seconds she bravely got back up to the cheers of the fans and reached the finish line. But that was the end of her Games. There would be no repeat of her double medal performance from the 2023 world championships.

She would be diagnosed with a grade 3 muscle tear and in no condition to compete in the 200 and the relay later in the week.

“In the final I got out a lot harder than when I did in the semis,’’ Borgella, a neuroscience student at the University of Ottawa, told Ottawa Sports Pages. “That was a little risky on my part, but I really wanted that medal.’’

Needless to say, the following days were difficult but with support from her family and friends Borgella realized her career is just beginning.

‘’I can’t give up,’’ she said. ‘’I’m still young.

‘’We’re going to really focus on the basics of running, until I run like a proper sprinter, and once those skills are attained, I’ll be able to be even faster and stronger.”

Nicholas Bennett celebrated at his hometown pool

There are many examples of Paralympians who came home empty handed in their Games debut then went on to shine at future Games. That includes Para swimmer Nicholas Bennett of Parksville, B.C.

At his Games debut in 2021, Bennett posted three top-five finishes at age 17. In the three years to Paris, Bennett developed into a bonafide medal contender. And did he deliver in Paris with gold medals in the S14 100 breast and 200 individual medley and silver in the 200 freestyle.

He was named Canada’s flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony alongside Para canoeist Brianna Hennessy.

On Friday, there was a celebration for Paralympians from the area including Bennett at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach.

Bennett joined the Ravensong Breakers Aquatic Club in 2010 and stayed for 12 seasons. He currently trains in Red Deer, Alta. under his sister Hayley Bennett.

“This recognition truly means the world to me because of where I am from, it’s come full circle,” Nicholas Bennett, 20, said to his family, friends and many supporters in the region. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“The hard work you put into these young kids making sure they get to the pool, making sure they can get the personal training that they need, I just want you to know that it leads to this.

‘’Without your support this would not be possible.”

Canada’s Men’s NextGen Team to participate in Kitakyushu Champions Cup

Wheelchair Basketball Canada announced the Men’s NextGen roster and schedule for the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, which will be held November 7-9 in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Four members of Team Canada’s 2022 Under-23 World Championship roster, including Collin Lalonde, Josh Brown, Kyrell Sopotyk, and Matthew Wilton, will participate in the three-day tournament in Kitakyushu.

Canada will play games against Japan and Spain over three days at the Kitakyushu Municipal Gymnasium in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Full release, roster and schedule