Today Athletics Canada nominated 38 athletes to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for nomination to the 2015 Parapan Am Games. The Parapan Am Games take place August 7 to 15, athletics competition is slated August 10 to 14. Athletics Canada’s nominations are not final until the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s approval.
“The 2015 Parapan Am Games are a great opportunity for Canadian para-athletics to be showcased on home turf. The team is comprised of our best athletes, with medal performances our number one objective,” said Head Coach Carla Nicholls. “We are using these Games as a launch pad for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships held in Qatar in the fall.”
The team is led by a number of veteran athletes looking to repeat previous international successes. Brent Lakatos from Dorval, Que., won three gold medals at the 2013 IPC Championships and holds the world record in the T53 classification wheelchair 100-metres. Lakatos also earned three podiums at the 2012 Paralympic Games. Lakatos holds the Canadian records in the 100-metres, 200-metres, 400-metres and 1500-metres.
At the 2013 IPC World Championships Michelle Stilwell of Nanoose Bay, B.C., won triple gold (100m, 200m and 800m), and at the 2012 Paralympic Games she won gold in the 200-metres and silver in the 100-metres. In 2011, at the IPC World Championships, she won four medals, and took home three from the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Jason Dunkerley of Ottawa, Ont., won a pair of medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games and holds the Canadian record in the T11 visually impaired 800-metres, 1500-metres and 5000-metres.
Becky Richter is the world record holder in the T51 wheelchair 100-metres. At the 2013 IPC World Championships she won silver in the club throw and discus throw.
“It’s great to see the mix of veterans and newcomers on the para-athletics team,” said Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young. “This will bring a great energy to Team Canada and will definitely impact our performances in Toronto and pace the way for great Games.”
“As excitement grows for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, I would like to congratulate all of the athletes named today to the Canadian Athletics Team. I join all Canadians in wishing you the best as you focus your final preparations to find those important seconds and inches to strive for the podium in Toronto during the Year of Sport in Canada,” said The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)
Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games tickets are currently on sale. The Parapan athletics competition will take place at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium. Tickets are available online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets.
Click to view complete team list
For more information:
Mathieu Gentès
Director, Public Relations and Corporate Services
Athletics Canada
mgentes@athletics.ca
613 260 5580 ext. 3303
Louis Daignault
Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
W (613) 569-4333 x237
ldaignault@paralympic.ca