Ontario is proud to support its athletes competing on behalf of Team Canada at the 11th Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
This year, 21 Ontario athletes and one guide will inspire the nation, as they compete for Paralympic gold in para-alpine skiing, biathlon, para-nordic skiing, sledge hockey, wheelchair curling and para-snowboard -- which will make its Paralympic debut. The province's talented athletes at the Winter Paralympic Games include:
- Chris Williamson from Markham, one of the world's most decorated para-alpine athletes with silver and bronze medals from the 2002 and 2006 Paralympics.
- Graeme Murray from Barrie, who was part of the sledge hockey team that won gold at the 2006 Paralympics and the 2013 World Championships.
- Jim Armstrong from Cambridge, the gold medal winner at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games for wheelchair curling.
- Robbi Weldon, a para-nordic skier from Thunder Bay, who won gold as a para-cyclist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
- Thirteen of the 17 para-athletes on the sledge hockey team are from Ontario including Brad Bowden, Billy Bridges, Ben Delaney, Adam Dixon, Marc Dorion, Anthony Gale, Karl Ludwig, Tyler McGregor, Graeme Murray, Kevin Rempel, Corbin Watson, Greg Westlake, and Derek Whitson.
The province supports its para-athletes year round with direct financial assistance through programs like Quest for Gold, and celebrates athletic achievement through recognition programs like the Ontario Sport Awards. Ontario also assists provincial and local sport organizations to ensure that para-athletes have the tools they need to succeed at the highest levels of competition, including the Winter Paralympic Games.
Helping athletes compete and win is part of the government's plan to work together as One Ontario, to build a successful, vital province where everyone has the opportunity to connect, contribute and achieve their goals.
Congratulations to the Ontario para-athletes on Team Canada who will make their province proud as they compete for gold. Ontario's Paralympians are a testament to perseverance, hard work and belief in one's own abilities and they are an inspiration to us all. Our government is pleased to support our para-athletes as they pursue excellence in the international arena at events like the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi.” Michael Chan Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American GamesQuick Facts
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