Paris 2024 Wheelchair Basketball Lookahead: Canadian teams shoot for next level

Kady Dandeneau, a super scorer on Canada’s women’s wheelchair basketball team, agrees the podium is the goal at the 2024 Paralympic Games, set for August 28 to September 8 in Paris.

Both the men’s and women’s teams qualified for the Games. The qualification process was tougher than ever as the Paralympic tournament has been reduced from 12 to eight countries for the men and 10 to eight for the women.

Both Canadian teams needed top results and crucial wins at a last chance qualifier this past April to book tickets to Paris.

With superstars like Dandeneau, Cindy Ouellet and Arinn Young, Canada is a medal contender for the women even though it placed fifth at the last two Paralympic Games and the 2023 World Championships.

Canada will compete in Pool A in Paris against world number two China, Great Britain, and Spain. The women open the tournament against China on August 29. The other pool is comprised of reigning world and Paralympic Games champions the Netherlands, world number three USA, Japan, and Germany.

‘’Physically, we have everything we need to get there,” said Dandeneau, headed to her second Paralympic Games in Paris. ‘’Our confidence level is something we need to improve and we are making progress.

‘’We really need to arrive in Paris knowing we’ve done the preparation and feeling good about it.’’

The Canadian men meanwhile are continuing a successful rebuilding phase which has seen them rise from 12^th at the 2016 Paralympic Games to sixth at the most recent world championships.

The team is also peppered with veterans like Pat Anderson, Bo Hedges and Nik Goncin while Colin Higgins and Lee Melymick are emerging stars in the sport.

‘’We’ve been building with a core group of 11-12 players for the last three years and we are becoming more comfortable, cohesive and trusting,’’ said Hedges, headed to his fifth Games. ‘’We never panicked in the rebuilding and the guys have been putting the work in. They know it’s not an easy sport to play.’’

The men will compete in Pool A against world number two Great Britain, Germany, and France in Paris. Canada opens the Games against host France on August 30. The other pool is comprised of reigning world and Paralympic champions USA, Spain, Netherlands, and Australia.

‘’The young guys needed time to develop,’’ added Hedges. ‘’On top of that the world is super competitive and there are so many good teams out there. That’s why you have to keep building for the big moments like the Paralympics.’’

The wheelchair basketball tournaments will take place August 29 to September 8 at Bercy Arena in Paris. The preliminary rounds conclude September 2, with the men’s quarterfinals set for September 3 and the women’s quarterfinals a day later.

For more information visit our Paris 2024 Hub.