Rain and a public holiday: conditions are perfect for armchair athletes, who will have a busy menu during the weekend at the Paris Paralympic Games. Here’s what to watch for.
Saturday August 31
Saturday started well. Para swimmer Nicholas Bennett of Victoria, B.C., won Canada’s first silver medal. The 20-year-old was in seconde podium walk in the men’s 200m freestyle in the S14 category (category guide available here).
Bennett finished the race in 1:53.61, 2.31 seconds behind the winner, Britain’s William Ellard. The latter set a world record of 1:51.30.
In the afternoon, we will be watching the para-athletics finals. Canadian Keegan Gaunt will take part in the final of the women’s 1500m, category T13. Brent Lakatos will be in the final of the men’s 5000m (T54) and Amanda Rummery, in the final of the women’s 400m (T47).
Finally, two Canadians will be in the final of the 200m individual medley in the SM7 category. Danielle Dorris and Tess Routliffe will compete at 2:10 p.m.
Sunday September 1st
The competitions of the 1er September will begin with the paratriathlon (PTWC category), in the night, Montreal time. Canadian Leanne Taylor will try to get her hands on a medal. Another medal potential in paratriathlon, PTS5 category, for men and women. Stefan Daniel and Kamylle Frenette will be in action.
In para-athletics, Julia Hanes will be in the final of the women’s javelin throw, category F34.
Several other competitions will also be on the menu, including para-swimming, where five Canadians will be in the pool for different events. Aurélie Rivard, who won a bronze medal on Thursday in the 50 m freestyle (S10), will try to continue her momentum.
In para table tennis (MS2), Peter Isherwood will face the Pole Tomasz Jakimczuk in the 16e final.
Canada will face Spain in the preliminary round of wheelchair basketball.
Monday September 2nd
Big day at the pool on September 2. Canadians to watch are Sabrina Duchesne (400m freestyle, S7), Nikita Ens and Aly van Wyck-Smart (50m backstroke, S3) and Nicolas Guy Turbide (50m freestyle, S13). Nicholas Bennett, who won silver on Saturday, will be in the 50m freestyle (S13). Finally, Canada will be in the 4 x 100m mixed medley relay.
The Canadian wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball teams will also play preliminary matches against Germany and Rwanda, respectively.
First two days in bronze
Canada won two bronze medals in paracycling track on Friday, thanks to performances from Keely Shaw (women’s 3,000-metre individual pursuit) and Alexandre Hayward in the men’s pursuit.
On Thursday, Kate O’Brien finished third in the 500m time trial (C4-5) in paracycling. Aurélie Rivard, in paraswimming, also won bronze in the 50m freestyle (S10).