BC Connected Para Athletes Ready to Shine in the Spotlight at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games – Canadian Sport Institute Pacific

March 2nd, 2022
For Immediate Release

VICTORIA – After multiple years of training and preparation, Canadian para athletes are ready to compete on the world stage at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. This is their chance to compete with the best competitors across the globe and show the world what they’re made of in hopes of bringing home a medal. The Games are scheduled to run from March 4th to the 13th and are in multiple events across five winter sports.

With a total of 49 Paralympians representing Team Canada in Beijing, 37% (18 out of 49) of the athletes have a hometown in B.C. and/or have accessed programs, services and facilities provided by Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) in the quadrennial lead up to these Paralympics. An additional athlete on Team Canada lists a city in B.C. as their hometown.

Beijing 2022 Team Canada Paralympic Games Quick Facts:

• 49 athletes will represent Canada at the Paralympics
• 19 of them (39%) have a connection to B.C.
• 8 of the athletes (16%) list a place in B.C. as their hometown or residence
• 18 of the athletes (37%) have benefitted from services provided by CSI Pacific or the PacificSport Regional Alliance here in B.C.
• 8 BC Games and Team BC alumni (5 athletes, 1 coach, and 2 support staff)

Mar 4, 2022. Note: Team Canada’s Paralympic contingent ended up being 48 athletes instead of 49, as Para Alpine skier Frédérique Turgeon was injured pre-competition and has decided to withdraw from the Games, which reduced Team Canada’s numbers from the originally listed 49 athletes.

View full list of B.C. affiliated para athletes in Beijing [PDF]

“CSI Pacific has been thrilled to increase our support for Canada’s Paralympians over the past quadrennial and now we are extremely excited to watch all these athletes compete on the world stage,” said Wendy Pattenden, CEO of Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. “The number of B.C. connected athletes competing at the Paralympics continues to increase, which is a real credit to the athletes’ commitment and the support of their national sport organizations that we have the privilege of working with.”

Canadian para athletes have the opportunity to pursue their Paralympic dreams with the annual support from numerous sport organizations including Sport Canada (through the Own the Podium Program), National Sport Organizations and the Province of British Columbia. Achieving their dreams also wouldn’t be possible without the additional guidance and training from local organizations featuring the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific), viaSport and its Regional Alliance partners.

“Congratulations to these incredible athletes, coaches, officials and other volunteers heading to Beijing 2022!” said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO of viaSport. “By showcasing parasport on the world’s largest stage, we will be inspired to explore the infinite possibilities for people of all abilities through sport. Go Canada, go Team BC!”

With a remarkable 39% of B.C. connected athletes making up Team Canada in Beijing, local para athletes continue to excel in a wide array of sports every year with the range of support and accessibility from the Province or British Columbia. Their annual investment of $50 million in sport allows athletes from all ages and abilities to play and achieve their goals in sport. This also permits athletes to avoid financial barriers and continue their training and development through local facilities and programs.

“Beyond the thrill and excitement of great competition, these games represent stories of what it takes to become a world-class athlete,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “The Paralympics are filled with people who have beaten incredible odds to come out at the top of their respective sports. Many Paralympians have faced tremendous obstacles and by sheer determination, outstanding skill and undeterred drive they have emerged triumphant. Each has broken boundaries, shattered glass ceilings and pushed beyond limits to become one of the best in the world in their sport, all the while displaying the true heart of a champion. On behalf of Premier John Horgan and our entire government, congratulations to Team Canada. We wish you a safe and successful Paralympic Games and we know that all British Columbians join us in wishing all Paralympians the best of luck at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. We are cheering you on as you reach for the stars.”

Reasons for B.C.’s prominent position on the national sport landscape include:

• The Government of British Columbia’s annual investment in sport of approximately $50 million
• viaSport’s lead role in promoting and developing amateur sport and building a stronger, more effective and inclusive sport system for both athletes and coaches through provincial sport organizations and regional delivery partners
• Canadian Sport Institute Pacific’s technical leadership and support of Canada’s high-performance athletes and coaches. Using their mantra of Collaborate. Serve. Innovate. Perform. In combination with world-class training facilities, equipment and innovations, CSI Pacific helps Canada’s elite athletes and coaches maximize their potential
• Collaboration with our National Sport Organization and Provincial Sport Organization partners, who demonstrate leadership and commitment to the Long-Term Athlete Development model, to provide expertise, service and support to B.C. athletes and coaches competing in 24 different Olympic Summer sports (over 70 different disciplines)\Introduction to multi-sport games experience and the sport excellence system by BC Games Society who host the BC Summer Games and Winter Games and manage the Team BC program at the Canada Games

With many unprecedented times and the decision to not have spectators at the Paralympic Games due to COVID-19, CSI Pacific will only be sending two staff members to Beijing 2022 to support Team Canada athletes in various sports. They are:

• Christie Gialloreto – Mental Performance Lead, Para Snowboard
• Kayla Dodson – Strength & Conditioning and Integrated Support Team Lead, Para Alpine

CSI Pacific will be keeping you up to date on the progress of all athletes with a B.C. connection competing at Beijing 2022. Visit www.csipacific.ca or www.bcmedals.ca for daily results from these athletes, as well as additional information about them, including their hometowns, social media channels and competition schedules.

Good luck to all athletes competing. Go Canada!

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About Canadian Sport Institute Pacific
Offering world-class Olympic and Paralympic training environments in Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (www.csipacific.ca) is committed to Powering Performance. Inspiring Excellence. Working with national sport organizations and fueled by our national and provincial partners such as Sport Canada, viaSport, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Coaches Association of Canada, we are driven by our mantra to Collaborate. Serve. Innovate. Perform.

Our team of sport science, sport medicine, coaching & life services experts provide leading-edge programs and services to athletes and coaches to ensure they have every advantage to win medals for Canada. Learn more: www.csipacific.ca.

 

For more information, contact:

Noah Wheelock
General Manager, Operations & Communications
Canadian Sport Institute Pacific
[email protected]
250.813.3474