Three Paralympians elected to Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council

Heidi Peters (sitting volleyball), Christina Picton (Para nordic skiing), and Amanda Rummery (Para athletics) have been elected to the Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced Tuesday.

They join current vice-chair Jeremy Hall (Para rowing), Amy Burk (goalball), Tyler McGregor (Para ice hockey), and Abi Tripp (Para swimming) on the council, who are halfway through their respective four-year terms. Outgoing Athletes’ Council members are current chair Erica Gavel (wheelchair basketball), Ina Forrest (wheelchair curling), and Mike Whitehead (wheelchair rugby).

The council will soon elect a new chair and vice-chair, who will sit on the CPC Board of Directors as athlete representatives.

“Athlete leadership is at the core of the Paralympic Movement, and we are so pleased to welcome Heidi Peters, Christina Picton, and Amanda Rummery to the Athletes’ Council,” said Karen O’Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “We look forward to working alongside them over the next four years, as well as incumbent members Jeremy Hall, Amy Burk, Tyler McGregor, and Abi Tripp, as we aim to advance Paralympic sport across Canada and foster more accessible, inclusive sport.

“We would also like to thank the outgoing council members for their incredible work and efforts – chair Erica Gavel for her valued, committed and immense leadership, as well as Ina Forrest and Mike Whitehead for their significant contributions.”

A longtime leader on the Canadian women’s sitting volleyball team, Peters (Neerlandia, Alta.) is a three-time Paralympian (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024). She was part of Canada’s history-making squad that won bronze at the Paris 2024 Games, the nation’s first Paralympic medal in the sport. She is also a 2022 world championships silver medallist.

“It means a lot that my fellow Team Canada athletes trust me and my belief in Canadian Para sport,” said Peters. “I hope to be a loud and active voice on the council, always celebrating successes and growth while doing my due diligence to advocate and push for more. Canadian Para athletes are amongst the best of the best and I am honoured to represent their voice.”

Picton (Fonthill, Ont.) made her Paralympic debut at Beijing 2022 in the sport of Para nordic skiing, with her best finish a sixth place in the women’s sitting cross-country sprint. She is also the former captain of Canada’s women’s Para ice hockey team.

“I’m so honoured to have been elected to this position by my fellow Paralympians,” said Picton. “It means so much to me to be given the opportunity to contribute to meaningful and positive progress for everyone involved in the Paralympic Movement.”

Rummery (Edmonton) competes in the 100m, 200m, and 400m running distances and made her first Paralympic Games appearance last summer in Paris. She was fifth in the women’s T47 400m final in her maiden Paralympic final.

“Being named to the CPC Athletes’ Council is an honour,” said Rummery. “It allows me to advocate for Canadian Paralympians and contribute to the growth of the Paralympic Movement. During my time on the council, I hope to positively represent my fellow athletes by amplifying their voices, fostering inclusivity, and helping to shape a strong future for Paralympic sport in Canada.”

Voting for the Athletes’ Council took place over the past three weeks, with eligible athletes – anyone who competed in the last four Paralympic Games in 2024, 2022, 2020, and 2018 – voting to select their new representatives. Elections take place every two years, with terms lasting four years.

The Canadian Paralympic Athletes’ Council is an elected group of current and retired Paralympic athletes who advocate for the best interests of Canada’s Paralympians and the Paralympic Movement in Canada.

For more information on the Athletes’ Council, please visit Paralympic.ca/athletes/athletes-council.