The Canadian Paralympic Committee has more modest goals for Beijing after placing third in the medal standings at the previous two Paralympic Games. With 20 more countries participating this year than in 2004, and more investment in Paralympic sports by many nations including China, Canada is setting its sights on a more realistic top-five performance.
Canada sent 144 athletes to the Games, while China is expected to field between 350 and 400 athletes. China has also built a dedicated Paralympic sports training centre in Beijing that includes a pool, indoor and outdoor tracks, gyms, playing fields and shooting and archery ranges.
The Paralympics get underway with the opening ceremonies Saturday, Sept. 6 and wrap up on Sept. 17.
Team Canada features 43 athletes from B.C.
Archery — Kevin Evans
Athletics — Dustin Walsh, Earle Connor, Michelle Stilwell, Steve Walters
Men’s Wheelchair Basketball — James Borisoff, Patrick Anderson, Richard A. Peter, Robert Hedges
Women’s Wheelchair Basketball — Janet McLachlan, Jennifer Krempien, Misty Thomas
Boccia — Alison Kabush, Hanif Mawji, Monica Martino, Paul Gauthier
Cycling — Brian Cowie
Equestrian — Ashley Gowanlock, Eleonore Elstone, Jennifer McKenzie, Karen Brain, Lauren Barwick
Rowing — Anthony Theriault, Meghan Mongomery
Wheelchair Rugby — Garett Hickling, Ian Chan, Say Luangkhamdeng, Trevor Hirschfield
Sailing — Don Terlson, John McRobers, Marc Shaw, Stacie Louttit
Shooting — Christos Trifonidis
Swimming — Brian Hill, Brianna Nelson, Donovan Tildesley, Drew Christensen, Laura Jensen, Stephanie Dixon, Stephanie McDougall
Tennis — Sarah Hunter, Yuka Chokyu
