Wheelchair basketball superstar Pat Anderson celebrates the past, present and patriotism

Photos WBC and CPC

OTTAWA – Pat Anderson admits he would rather whisper words of wisdom than boast about his magnificent career in wheelchair basketball, which included a sixth Paralympic Games appearance at Paris 2024.

So, we’ll do it for him.

Canada’s Opening Ceremony co-flag bearer at Paris 2024 and father of three earned three gold medals (2000, 2004 and 2012) and a silver in 2008 at the Paralympic Games. In addition, he helped Canada to the world title in 2006.

At those first four Games the 45-year-old from Fergus, Ont. averaged more than 20 points per game and was being anointed as the greatest player in the sport and tabbed the ‘Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball.’

Outside of the national team program, Anderson has competed in professional leagues overseas in Australia and Germany. In 2003, he was named the MVP of the Australian National Wheelchair Basketball League. His former club in Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill, also won three consecutive European Champions Cups from 2004-2006.

At the Team Canada Celebration in Ottawa in December, Anderson, who carried the flag with Para swimmer Katarina Roxon in Paris, reflected on his career, his patriotism, and his hopes for the future.

CPC: Which Paralympic Games were your favourite?

Anderson: Some stand out because of our accomplishments and some stand out because of the vibe. They are all special in their own way.

Sydney (2000) was the first one and was special, because they just really embraced the Paralympics. It gave me a belief that a city and a country could have enough energy to pull off the Olympics and have some energy left over to really celebrate, embrace and get into the Paralympics.

London (2012) was special because it was the last time we won a medal, and it was the first Games my wife attended. And it was the end of an era for a certain generation of players that grew up together and played together for a long time.

And then Paris (2024) was really special. The atmosphere for every game was electric, with packed houses, friends and family both there and at home. I just really, really enjoyed it.

CPC: In Paris, the team improved from its last worlds (sixth in 2023) and previous Games (eighth in 2021). Where do you see the team going? How do you feel about the future of wheelchair basketball in Canada?

Anderson: I feel good. We have great initiatives at the grassroots level to reach, nurture and develop a new crop of athletes and it shows we care about Paralympic performances.

The pursuit of excellence is fun, glorious and exciting but most of all what’s important is a healthy sports system that gives opportunities to the most amount of people with and without disabilities to be active, have fun and enjoy it.

I see initiatives in Canada to strengthen that and that will bubble up to Paralympic performances.

CPC: Next year (2026) Ottawa will host the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball championships.

Anderson: I’m excited to see how we do in Ottawa. That opportunity doesn’t come around every day to compete on home soil and show off your sport in front of your friends and family and country. We’re going to have a good bunch of guys and women that will represent us well.

CPC: How about your future? Are you planning to stay involved in sports and/or the Paralympic movement?

Anderson: I certainly want to give back to wheelchair basketball, the sport system and to the community that has given me so much. The how and when I don’t know yet, I’m trying to figure that out through the support of my wife and our kids.

But beyond that it’s about being an advocate for adaptive sport, what they’re all about and who can benefit and what it takes to support people to get those opportunities off the ground.

CPC: How about being Canada’s flag bearer in Paris?

Anderson: These moments stand out even more to me. Being surrounded by the red and white today (at the Team Canada Celebration) brings back memories of being the flag bearer.

I’m not particularly outgoing but I found myself today introducing myself to people I’ve never met and realizing this is our home, this is where we come together.

We share a love of Canada, and we have a lot in common that is really deeper than the things that sometimes divide us. Being here with the Paralympians and Olympians just brings back that memory.