Weekly round-up: Paralympians reminisce

Even though Canada’s Paralympians are not able to compete right now, or train at their normal pace, they are still keeping themselves busy whether it’s doing at-home workouts, virtual chatting with friends and family, or sharing their stories in the news and on social media. Each week, we compile various top social posts and articles to see what Canadian Para athletes have been up to. Here are some highlights from the past week: 

Canadian Para ice hockey veteran Greg Westlake talked to CBC’s Scott Russell about the importance of Canada’s bronze medal Canada at the 2014 Paralympics after the disappointment at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
 

Great to speak with Paralympic champion @gwestlake12 as Olympic Games Replay looks at Sochi 2014 hockey and precious Canadian medals Interview: https://t.co/QnCZ4M15BF https://t.co/zMm3paS0MD@cbc @cbcsports @CBCOlympics @HockeyCanada @CDNParalympics pic.twitter.com/FTWpo8MRAS

— Scott Russell (@CBCScottRussell) June 11, 2020

Cindy Ouellet, a member of Canada’s national women’s wheelchair basketball team, hosted last week’s edition of Team Canada Champion Chats. Special guests included sitting volleyball Paralympian and Tokyo 2020 Athlete Ambassador Shacarra Orr.

Athletics Canada announced its award winners for the 2019 season. Wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos took the Chantal Petitclerc Award for Para athlete of the Year in wheelchair events while Nate Riech won the Arnold Boldt Award for Para athlete of the year in the ambulatory events.

Storming back from injuries, he would go on to win two gold medals & a silver medal at the 2019 World @ParaAthletics Championships in Dubai

Congratulations @BrentLak on winning the Chantal Petitclerc Award as Para Athlete of the Year in Wheelchair Events #ACAwards19 pic.twitter.com/gO5twusbCy

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 11, 2020

Making his long-awaited Team Canada debut , he struck not only at the Parapan American Games but continued the gold rush at the IPC @ParaAthletics Championships!

The Arnold Boldt Award for Para Athlete of the Year in Ambulatory Events goes to @NateGraywolf #ACAwards19 pic.twitter.com/J5WpNToGaY

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) June 11, 2020

Para judoka Priscilla Gagné and her coach Andrzej Sadej were guests on Judo Canada’s Chat with Pat episode last week. The pair talked about the characteristics that are needed to be successful in the sport.

Women’s national wheelchair basketball team member Melanie Hawtin was featured on the latest Canadian Women and Sport episode of She’s4Sport and talked about how she returned from a spinal cord injury and became a Para sport role model.

How did @MelanieHawtin turn a set back into an opportunity after spinal surgery, to become a role model on & off the #basketball court? Watch our interview with the world champion #paralympic athlete to find out. #sheleadsbysport #shes4sports https://t.co/iWBZ8EtQv4 pic.twitter.com/wuN8JHEALR

— She’s4Sports (@Shes4Sports) June 11, 2020

If her recent tweets are any indication, Para cyclist Marie-Claude Molnar has found a paddleboard passion.

Places like this are not accessible by bike #sup @MustangSurvival @RedPaddleCo #athlete #paddleboarding #monteregie pic.twitter.com/NGKybbjuUJ

— Marie-Claude Molnar (@mariecmolnar) June 8, 2020

Chelsey Gotell, the IPC Athletes Council Chair and multiple Paralympic swimming medallist, says the coronavirus has presented a large challenge but has also brought athletes together. Read her full essay on the International Olympic Committee’s website.