Paralympic Games
Learn about the 2024 Paralympic Games and its Canadian paralympians!
A Recap of Renewed Excitement: 2024 Canadian Highlights
Following the Tokyo Games in 2020, Canada experiences renewed success with an increase in podium finishes
GOLD - 10
SILVER - 9
BRONZE - 10
Team Canada achieved 29 medals in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, defining twelve days of intense competition, including the most gold medals (10) since the 2008 Beijing games. The Paris games also provided an opportunity for 22 athletes to come back home with their first ever paralympic medal, including ten of whom competed at the paralympics for the first time!
Podium highlights include Aurélie Rivard (one gold, one silver, one bronze) and Nicholas Bennett (two gold, one silver) in Para Swimming, and Cody Fournie (two gold) in Para Athletics!
The Paralympic games shine as a representation of the differently-abled community. Brianna Hennessey, a silver medalist in Para Canoeing sees the recent competition as an evolution of para sport and remarks that "it’s the movement of people with disabilities" (The Hamilton Spectator, 2024). Putting accessibility at the forefront, the Paralympic Games showcases the spirit and talent of this vibrant, amazing community.
“The Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of Para sport, and Paris 2024 has been such a celebration of sport for people with a disability, with so much support from the people of France and from Canadians cheering on the team both here in Paris and from home”
Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team
Other Facts from the Games!
Canada achieved a podium result in six sports: Para Swimming (13), Para Athletics (9), Para Cycling (4), Sitting Volleyball (1), Para Canoe (1), and Para Triathlon (1)
British Columbian athletes took home ten medals, the most from any Canadian province
126 athletes competed representing Team Canada
The Women's Sitting Volleyball team was awarded bronze, Canada's first medal in the sport
For the first time, Canadian paralympic medalists receive prize money equal to the traditional Olympic athletes
Canada's Success: Para Swimmer Nicholas Bennett
Bennett Proves to be a Standout After His Gold Medal Wins
Representing his home town and province of Parkville, British Columbia with pride, Paralympics athlete Nicholas Bennett has reached the podium multiple times in Para Swimming. As of September 4th 2024, Bennett has been awarded two gold medals and a silver medal.
Nicholas Bennett was trained by his sister Haley Bennett. They worked to perfect his breaststroke and train for the S14 classification for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Bennett was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of three.
Bennett competed in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, where he was able to advance to three finals. This years medal achievements in Paris signify Bennett's dedication over the past years of training. He remarks, "it's the joy of being able to compete against the best athletes in the world and be the best out of them" (sportsnet.ca, 2024).
Get to Know Some of the Games!
Boccia
In teams of two or three, Boccia players use six leather balls per round and points are scored based on how close their balls are thrown or rolled to the white target ball (called the jack). The players precision, focus, and accuracy determines their success.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport designed for players with various disabilities, including severe cerebral palsy. Though initially tailored for those with significant physical impairments, it is now enjoyed by a broader audience. Boccia was introduced in 1984 and is currently played in over fifty countries.
Para Cycling
Olympic athletes with visual impairments and/or physical impairments such as limb deficientcy, athetosis/ataxia, hypertonia, and impaired muscle power are invited to compete in Para Cycling. Events can include tricycles, hand cycles, or in tandem with a sighted guide (for visual impairments).
Para Cycling originated with visually impaired cyclists using tandem bicycles and was officially included in the Paralympics in Seoul in 1988. Canada has consistently won medals in Para Cycling at all Paralympic Games except for Athens 2004!
Wheelchair Basketball
An extremely popular event to watch! Wheelchair basketball is designed for athletes with running, jumping, or pivoting related physical impairments. It features small differences as well as many similarities to able-bodied basketball, such as basket height and boundaries for three-point shooting.
Canada has a strong record in wheelchair basketball. The women’s team won gold in 1992, 1996, and 2000, and bronze in 2004. The men’s team has earned medals in the last four Paralympics, including gold in 2000, 2004, and 2012, and silver in 2008.
Para Swimming
In Para swimming, athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments compete in a variety of events such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, individual medley, and relays.
Para Swimmers may start from the water, a seated position on the starting platform, or from a standing start like traditional swimming. This depends on the athletes individual conditions and impairments. Visually impaired swimmers use blackened goggles and rely on a guide "tapper" as they approach the pool wall.
Para Swimming is a notable event for Canada, having achieved significant international successes with athletes such as Tim McIsaac, Stephanie Dixon, and Benoit Huot!
