Two Para swimmers added to Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team

Para swimmers Hannah Ouellette and Clémence Paré have been nominated to the Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Swimming Canada announced Wednesday. The two athletes join 20 Para swimmers already nominated to compete for Canada this summer.

Ouellette (Saskatoon) and Paré (Boucherville, Que.), who both race in the women’s S5 classification, will be making their Paralympic debuts.

Ouellette, who was internationally classified to compete in Para swimming last winter, won a silver medal at the World Para Swimming World Series stop in Indianapolis in April. It was the 18-year-old’s first major international meet.

“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to swim for Canada at Paris,” said Ouellette. “I knew I swam well at trials and had a chance to make the team, but I was still surprised when I found out. I’m really excited and can’t wait for the experience!”

Paré was a member of the Lima 2019 Canadian Parapan Am Team at the age of 16, and competed at both the 2022 and 2023 world championships.

“Being selected for the Paralympic Games feels like a dream come true, a validation of all the sweat, tears, and perseverance,” said Paré. “When I got the news, I was overwhelmed with joy thinking about the journey it took to get here and knowing that my hard work has paid off. I’m thankful for the incredible opportunity ahead to compete at my first Paralympic Games. I’m also very excited to show everyone what I’m capable of competing at the highest stage of Para swimming.”

A team of 20 Para swimmers was originally nominated for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games following the conclusion of the Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials in May. Ouellette and Paré’s nominations bring Canada’s roster to 22 athletes, fulfilling the maximum number of slots the nation was awarded through the qualification period for the Games.

Both Ouellete and Paré achieved Paris Minimum Qualification Standards at the trials.

“We’re pleased to finalize our team and fill all 22 positions with Clemence and Hannah joining us,” said J-P Lavoie, Swimming Canada’s Interim Technical and Program Lead, Paralympic Program. “Both swimmers have made impressive progress over the past 18 months, thanks to their hard work and the guidance of their coaches. They’ve earned their spots on the team with their consistent improvement and strong performance.”

The updated Para swimming roster can be seen below:

Nicholas Bennett – Parksville, BC
Katie Cosgriffe – Burlington, ON
Danielle Dorris – Moncton, NB
Sabrina Duchesne – Saint-Augustin, QC
Alec Elliot – Kitchener, ON
Nikita Ens – Meadow Lake, SK
Arianna Hunsicker – Surrey, BC
Mary Jibb – Bracebridge, ON
Fernando Lu – Burnaby, BC
Sebastian Massabie – Surrey, BC
Reid Maxwell – St. Albert, AB
Shelby Newkirk – Saskatoon, SK
Hannah Ouellette – Saskatoon, SK
Clémence Paré – Boucherville, QC
Aurélie Rivard – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
Tess Routliffe – Caledon, ON
Katarina Roxon – Kippens, NL
Abi Tripp – Kingston, ON
Nicolas-Guy Turbide – Quebec City, QC
Philippe Vachon – Blainville, QC
Emma Grace Van Dyk – Port Colborne, ON
Aly Van Wyck Smart – Toronto, ON

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place August 28 to September 8 in Paris, France. Canada is expecting to send a team of approximately 140 athletes.

Before being officially named to the Canadian Paralympic Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The current list of nominated athletes can be found HERE. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the start of the Games.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will begin with the Opening Ceremony on August 28 and continue through September 8, with coverage of the Games on CBC and CBC Sports and Radio-Canada.