In this edition, we learn more about Canadian women Paralympians to watch ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, beginning August 28, 2024. We also learn more about two educational and innovative campaigns and initiatives launched ahead of the games, which will help further educate and grow the state of Paralympic sport.

The stories of the week show girls in sport and physical activity that:

• Team Canada’s Paralympians competing this year include a well-rounded group of rookies, veterans, history makers, winners, and Canadian sports inspirations for their respective sports. 
• The language bias campaign launched will help highlight the meaning behind the words we use and encourage consistency when it comes to thinking and speaking about what an athlete is, regardless of whether they have a disability or not.
• The fundraiser campaign will help promote unity and community. It’s an innovative way for Canadians to feel involved in supporting Team Canada’s Paralympians while contributing to the growth of para sports in Canada.

In a recent video posted on Fast and Female’s Instagram, Kaitlyn recapped five Olympians and Paralympians to watch out for. See the video here. 

Aurélie Rivard and Cindy Ouellet were both mentioned. For a refresher, below is a quick breakdown of their para sports background and achievements so far. Five other Paralympians are also introduced (in no particular order) and we encourage you to watch and support them!

The entire list of Paralympians competing this year for Team Canada can be viewed here.

Aurélie Rivard, Para Swimming

Aurélie Rivard will be making her fourth Paralympic appearance this year. 

Her international breakthrough came in 2012 at the London Paralympic Games. 

She has won 19 world championship medals, making her the most decorated Canadian woman in Para Swimming World Championships history. Her impressive career includes five gold Paralympic medals, three silver, and two bronze.

At the Rio 2016 Paralympics, she had the honour of being Canada’s closing ceremony flag-bearer. She has been named Swimming Canada‘s Para Female Athlete of the Year numerous times.

Cindy Ouellet, Wheelchair Basketball

Cindy Ouellet will be making her sixth overall Paralympic appearance this year. A dual-sport athlete, she competes in wheelchair basketball and para nordic skiing. She has previously competed in four Summer and one Winter Paralympics, making her one of the world’s few athletes to participate in both.

She won gold at the 2019 Parapan American Games. She has also won silver medals at the Parapan American Games in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2023. She has won the Female Athlete of the Year award from Wheelchair Basketball Canada in 2012, 2016, and 2017. 

She also trains and competes in CrossFit. In addition to her athletic career, she is studying for her doctorate with a focus on research for prostheses for amputees.

Marissa Papaconstantinou, Para Athletics

Marissa Papaconstantinou will be making her third Paralympic appearance this year. 

She began her journey in para athletics at the age of 11. Aside from her primary sport, she enjoys playing soccer and basketball. She made her Paralympic debut at just 16 years old in 2016, finishing third in her 100m heat.

She won a bronze medal in the women’s T64 100m event at the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships. Since 2016, she has achieved multiple personal best times.

She is the first Canadian woman para athlete to be sponsored by Nike. Her story also inspired an exhibit on 21st-century bionics and prosthetics at the Ontario Science Centre.

Danielle Dorris, Para Swimming

Danielle Dorris will be making her third Paralympic appearance this year and is recognized as one of Canada’s “standout athletes.” 

At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, she made history as the youngest Canadian swimmer ever to compete at the Games, at just 13 years old. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she set a world record of 32.99 seconds in the women’s 50m butterfly. She has won two Paralympic medals, one gold and one silver. 

In addition to her athletic achievements, she mentors and advocates for kids with disabilities. 

Katarina Roxon, Para Swimming

Katarina Roxon is the first Canadian woman swimmer to compete in five Paralympics.  

At just 15 years old, she was the youngest Canadian swimmer to compete in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics.

Throughout her career, Roxon has won one gold and one bronze Paralympic medal. As of May 2024, she still holds two Para Athletics Canadian records, which she set in 2010 and 2011. 

In 2016, a highway was named after her, Katarina Roxon Way, which leads to the Trans-Canada Highway and her hometown of Kippens, Newfoundland and Labrador. That same year, she was included in the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sports and Physical Activity‘s “Most Influential Women List.”

Yuka Chokyu, Para Badminton & Wheelchair Tennis

Yuka Chokyu has competed in para badminton and wheelchair tennis and will be making her fourth Paralympic appearance. Her journey with para sports began in the 1990’s, starting with wheelchair tennis, and she is now making her debut in para badminton. 

She won a bronze medal in women’s singles wheelchair tennis at the 2023 Parapan American Games. As of June 2024, she is ranked 10th in the world in the WH1 women’s singles wheelchair tennis category.

Known as a trailblazer, she has been instrumental in promoting her sports within Canada.

Sheriauana Haase, Para Athletics

Sheriauana Haase will be making her Paralympic debut this year. 

She made her international debut at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, where she placed fifth. That same year, she set a Canadian record of 12.42 seconds in the women’s 100m T47 event while finishing fifth.

She is the inspiration behind a children’s book titled “I am Sheriauana,” written by her mom, which discusses disabilities and the impact of words and stares. In the future, she hopes to continue her athletic career while also pursuing her passions for dance and acting. 

About innovative campaigns and initiatives Ahead of the games

 

“I won’t be participating at Paris 2024” campaign

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) just released its “I won’t be participating at Paris 2024” campaign to challenge language bias. The campaign suggests using the wording “I will be competing” to “drive conversation around the language used to describe Paralympians, compared to athletes who compete without a disability.” To learn more about the campaign, click here.

“IGNITE the Light” initiative

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) recently announced their “IGNITE the Light” initiative, where Canadians can purchase a virtual seat to support our Canadian Paralympians competing this year. The fundraising money will go directly to Paralympians to help with sports equipment, access to coaches and sports programs, and training and competition opportunities. Until September 8, 2025, you can purchase your virtual seat for $25 to show your support. To learn more about the fundraiser, click here.

 

Kaitlyn’s Sport Stories Recap are written by Kaitlyn Lehbert, a passionate and driven sport advocate for girls and women. Kaitlyn holds her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Brock University. Learn more about Kaitlyn by clicking here!

Have a sport story you want to share? Contact info@fastandfemale.com and it may get featured in Kaitlyn’s next feature.