Athletics Canada names 2008 Paralympics Games Team
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the names of the athletes who will compete at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. The Paralympic Games begin September 6 with the athletics schedule kicking off September 8 and concluding September 17.
Head Coach Bruce Pirnie sees great potential from the team. “Led by Chantal Petitclerc, arguably the world’s greatest wheelchair racer, the 2008 athletics Paralympic team is a strong blend of veteran athletes representing all disability groups. Twelve of the 26 athletes nominated by Athletics Canada have performances that rank them in the top 3 in the World for their event. Although we have fewer athletes than 4 years ago in Athens, we know that our core group remains very competitive.” Pirnie is confident the team’s experience will be a great asset, “The leadership of veterans such as Chantal Petitclerc, Diane Roy, Jason Dunkerley and many other s with Paralympic Games experience creates an atmosphere of excellence that makes us a contender every time we’re on the track or in the field.”
Chantal Petitclerc of Montréal will be making to her 5th Paralympic Games appearance looking to improve on her total of 16 medals. She is one of the world’s most decorated athletes holding two world records in the T54 wheelchair along with numerous Canadian records and titles.
The team will depend on a group of core veterans but it will also count some notable first-time Paralympians who should find themselves in the mix for a podium finish. Michelle Stilwell from Nanoose Bay, BC burst onto the scene in 2007 with four gold medals in the T52 category at the IWAS World Championships in Taiwan. She’s followed that up by setting two World records so far this season in the 100 and 200 metres.
Athletics Canada’s 2008 Paralympic Games team
|
Name |
Class |
Event |
Hometown |
Coach |
|
Jeff Adams |
T54 |
400m, 800m,1500m |
Toronto, ON |
Peter Eriksson |
|
Dean Bergeron |
T52 |
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m |
St-Augustin-de-Desmautes, QC |
Pierre Pomerleau |
|
André Beaudoin |
T52 |
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m |
Montréal, QC |
Marc Desjardins |
|
Josh Cassidy |
T54 |
800m, 1500m, 5000m |
Oakville, ON |
Amanda Fader |
|
Jean-Paul Compaore
Earle Connor |
T54
T42 |
400m, 800m
100m |
Sherbrooke, QC
Calgary, AB |
Jean Laroche
Les Gramantik |
|
Greg Dailey |
|
Guide Runner for Jason Dunkerley |
Toronto, ON |
|
|
Ilana Duff |
T53 |
100m, 200m, 400m |
Saskatoon, SK |
Rick Reelie |
|
Jason Dunkerley |
T11 |
1500m, 800m (T12) |
Ottawa, ON |
Ray Elrick |
|
Jon Dunkerley |
T11 |
100m, 200m, 400m |
Ottawa, ON |
Andrew Pagé |
|
Tracey Ferguson |
T54 |
200m, 1500m, 5000m |
Holland Landing, ON |
Peter Eriksson |
|
Michel Filteau |
T54 |
1500m, 5000m, Marathon |
St-Jean Baptiste, QC |
Marc Desjardins |
|
Éric Gauthier |
T53 |
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m |
St-Faustin-Lac-Carre, QC |
Marc Desjardins |
|
Clayton Gerein |
T52 |
Marathon |
Pilot Butte, SK |
Terry Mountjoy |
|
Brent Lakatos |
T53 |
100m, 200m, 400m |
Dorval, QC |
Peter Eriksson |
|
Mark Ledo |
T54 |
5000m, Marathon |
Maple, ON |
Peter Lawless |
|
Jessica Matassa |
T54 |
, 200m, 400m, 800m |
Windsor, ON |
David Greig |
|
Colin Mathieson |
T54 |
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m |
Winnipeg, MB |
Jean Laroche |
|
Megan Muscat
Chantal Petitclerc |
T37
T54 |
100m, 200m
100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m |
St. Thomas, ON
Montréal , QC |
David Greig
Peter Eriksson |
|
Kyle Pettey |
F34 |
Shot Put, Discus |
Brampton, ON |
Ken Hall |
|
Stefanie Reid |
T44/ F44 |
100m, 200m, Long Jump |
Windsor, ON |
Brett Lumley |
|
Leah Robinson |
T37 |
100m, 200m |
Mannheim, ON |
Dave Greig |
|
Diane Roy |
T54 |
400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, Marathon |
Hatley, QC |
Jean Laroche |
|
Michelle Stilwell |
T52 |
100m, 200m |
Nanoose Bay, BC |
Peter Lawless |
|
Kris Vriend |
F36 |
Shot Put, Discus |
Edmonton, AB |
Georgette Reid |
|
Dustin Walsh |
T11 |
200m, 400m |
Coquitlam, BC |
Don Steen |
|
Steve Walters |
|
Guide Runner for Dustin Walsh |
New Westminster, BC |
Don Steen |
|
Sean Young |
|
Guide Runner for Jon Dunkerley |
Ottawa, ON |
Andrew Pagé/ Ray Elrick |
|
Team Staff |
|
|
|
|
|
Danny Daniels |
Head of Delegation |
Sydney, BC |
|
|
Bruce Pirnie |
Head Coach |
Winnipeg, MB |
|
|
Melissa Dowling |
Manager |
Ottawa, ON |
|
|
Peter Eriksson |
Wheelchair racing coach |
Ottawa, ON |
|
|
Amanda Fader |
Wheelchair racing coach |
Ottawa, ON |
|
|
Dave Greig |
Ambulatory coach |
Windsor, ON |
|
|
Jean Laroche |
Wheelchair racing coach |
Sherbrooke, QC |
|
|
Georgette Reed |
Seated and standing throws coach |
Edmonton, AB |
|
|
Marc Deschenes |
Equipment technician |
Montréal, QC |
|
|
Yvonne Visser |
Massage Therapist |
Nanaimo, BC |
|
Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field, cross-country running, road running and road racing.
-AC-
For more information:
Mathieu Gentès
Marketing and Communications Director
Athletics Canada
mgentes@athletics.ca
613-260-5580 ext. 3303
Emily Hooper
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Athletics Canada
ehooper@athletics.ca
613-260-5580 ext. 3332
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