Are you #paratough? Interested in becoming a Paralympian? Here’s your chance to find out what it takes. The Canadian Paralympic Committee is spearheading a new program designed to identify the next generation of Paralympic athletes.
Paralympian Search is a series of one-day events offering Canadians with a disability the chance to test their abilities and discover which Paralympic sports they are best suited for.
“I was very lucky to discover my ability and passion for alpine skiing when I was eight years old and begin a journey that led me all the way to the Paralympic Games,” says Matt Hallat, who had his right leg amputated at age five due to bone cancer. “I’d like to encourage Canadians to take advantage of the opportunities in this great new program, to enjoy the benefits of sport and who knows — some may go on to win medals for Canada.”
Additional Paralympian Search events will be held in Toronto in February or March, and in Vancouver in May or June.
“The purpose of the program is to support the identification of Canada’s next generation of Paralympic stars,” says Catherine Gosselin-Després, Executive Director, Sport at the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “In order for Canada to be a world-leading Paralympic nation, we need a targeted approach to athlete identification, to ensure the right people are in the right sports with the greatest chance for success. There is a sport for everyone, and we want to help people find out what it is.”
For more information and to register, visit paralympic.ca/paralympian-search.
“Athletes will go through basic physiological, strength and endurance testing as well as receive advice on proper hydration and nutrition,” says Jason Poole, Director, Performance Services at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary.
