Canadian athletes went all out at this year’s Paralympic Games held in Paris, France, winning a total of 29 medals. These consisted of 10 gold, nine silver and 10 bronze medals. Canada was
ranked 12th on the medal table.
It was all joy as Canada thrived in Para athletics with five gold, three silver and one bronze medal. Austin Smeenk, Brent Lakatos and Greg Stewart each received gold. Athlete Cody Fournie claimed two gold medals for Canada in both men’s 100m T51 and 200m T51. It was an exhilarating occasion for Fournie after winning his first ever Paralympic race, having previously played in wheelchair rugby.
“It feels really good. All I can say is the hard work in nutrition and the hydration has paid off,” said Fournie to Athletics Canada.
He continued, “the transition from rugby to racing helped because I was putting so much time and effort into training, that coming over to racing wasn’t that difficult, because I was so used to training already.”
“What was the most difficult part about racing was getting this chair figured out, with not having any stomach muscles. I had to learn how to use my head to change the direction of the chair, and that took quite a while to figure out. But again, all that hard work has paid off.”
Para swimming came in with five gold, four silver and four bronze medals for Canada. Nicholas Bennett gave a showdown with two gold in men’s 100m breaststroke SB 14 and men’s 200m individual medley SM 14. Bennett is the first Canadian man since Benoit Huot to win multiple gold medals at the Paralympic Games. Sebastian Massabie, Aurelie Rivard and Danielle Dorris
each scooped gold.
Bennet told Swimming Canada, “we’ve been working my breaststroke every day for the past year. Breaststroke is such a finicky race for myself. The moment day of is different than the day
before.”
“I tried to [win gold] on my first day of racing. I was proud to be able to represent our country,” he added.
Sebastian Massabie set a world record by winning men’s 50m freestyle S4 with a time of 35.61.
“I feel really, really happy, excited, and proud of myself,” said Massabie to Swimming Canada.
Danielle Dorris had an amazing delivery over her competitors with a gold medal win in women’s 50m butterfly S7 in a time of 33.62.
“Coming in I was hoping for a world record but I cannot complain coming out with a medal in my favourite event on the last day of competition where everyone’s usually tired but I was ready to
go. I’m just very happy and glad that it’s over and I can go relax,” said Dorris to Swimming Canada.
She continued, “having that race on day three to get me used to this environment really helped me prepare for today. After that race we really just got in the gear of switching the mindset to the
50 fly, of getting the repetition in of how fast I can dive off the blocks and my speed in this race,” she said. “I think I prepared enough and the results showed that so I’m very happy.”
Nathan Clement picked up a silver medal in Para cycling road, men’s T1-2 individual time trial for Canada.
“It’s special. It’s my life’s work,” said Clement to Cycling Canada.
“Although I’ve worn different hats as a CP [cerebral palsy] seven-a-side soccer player, as a Paralympic swimmer and now as a Paralympic cyclist, I’m very lucky, because many athletes don’t have the opportunity to compete in two games, let alone two games in a different sport, let alone stand on a podium and see the Canadian flag raised,” he added.
Brianna Hennessey had a memorable experience after plucking silver in Para canoe, women’s va’a single 200m VL2.
“I always talk about the incredible athletes here, and how the Paralympics means so much more because everyone here has a million reasons to give up, and we’ve all chosen to just go on,” said Hennesey to CBC.
She added, “I’m so happy. I feel like we’ve had to overcome so much to get here, especially in the last year and a half. I’m just so proud.” Alexander Hayward, Kate O’Brien and Keely Shaw each won a bronze medal for Canada in Para cycling track.
Leanne Taylor picked up a bronze medal in Para triathlon.
Canada finally had success in sitting volleyball after the women’s volleyball team won its first paralympic medal in the sport. Canada triumphed over Brazil 3–0 to claim a bronze medal in
sitting volleyball.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games occurred from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, featuring 126 Canadian athletes.
