Canadian Paralympic and Olympic Team Celebrated on Parliament Hill

More than 180 athletes were celebrated on Parliament Hill for their achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The athletes were invited to a reception with parliamentarians, followed by recognition on the floor of the House of Commons.

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity and other Members of Parliament and Senators were present to recognize and celebrate the Olympians and Paralympians who made their mark in Paris, bringing home 27 and 29 medals respectively for Team Canada at these Games.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to celebrate Canada’s Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic athletes on Parliament Hill. Over the summer, Canadians witnessed all of the incredible achievements and unforgettable moments, as Team Canada made these Games one of the most successful in our country’s history,” the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity said. “Athletes, you’ve made the nation proud with your dedication, perseverance and sheer grit. Congratulations!”

They were joined on Parliament Hill by Canadian Paralympic Committee President Marc-André Fabien, CEO Karen O’Neill, and Canadian Paralympic Team co-Chefs de Mission for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Karolina Wisniewska and Josh Vander Vies as well as Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith, CEO and Secretary General David Shoemaker, and Team Canada Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Bruny Surin.

“Paris 2024 was a spectacular Games that truly showcased how sport can bring together communities, a nation, and the world. Canadian athletes made the whole country proud with their performances, and it is wonderful to see Paralympians and Olympians together in Ottawa recognized for all their hard work and dedication in doing their best on the global stage and advancing their sports across Canada,” Marc-André Fabien, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee said. “Thank you to the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for a fabulous Games and to the Government of Canada for this much-deserved celebration for the athletes.”

The presentation of the James Worrall Flag Bearer Awards presented by Petro-Canada and distribution of the Olympic and Paralympic rings presented by Teck took place at a private Team Canada event held at the Canadian Museum of History the evening before the celebration in Parliament.

“Winning a bronze medal at my third Paralympic Games in Paris has been the highlight of my life. Our team’s connection is special, and we worked tremendously hard for years. These Games meant so much more because we fell just short of the podium in Tokyo,” Heidi Peters, Paris 2024 Paralympic Bronze Medallist, Sitting Volleyball said. “Earning a chance for redemption and finishing with a huge historic win is a feeling of pride I’ll never forget. I am so excited to celebrate our accomplishment and be recognized alongside all of Team Canada’s Paralympians and Olympians in Ottawa.”