Highest ever percentage of B.C. connected athletes competing at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Aug 24, 2021

VICTORIA – Following closely on the heels of Canada’s amazing success at the Tokyo Olympics, Canada’s Paralympians are now aiming to show the world what they’re made of when the Paralympics take place in Japan from August 24th until September 5th..

A remarkable 30% of Team Canada’s 128 Tokyo 2020 Paralympians are connected to B.C., either due to having a hometown here in the province and/or because they train in British Columbia. That 30% mark is highest percentage ever recorded for B.C. Connected athletes at a Summer Paralympics.

British Columbia again has strong representation in Tokyo: the 192 B.C Connected athletes who represented Canada in the Olympics was also an all-time high for the province.

  • 128 athletes will represent Canada at the Paralympics
  • 38 of them – or 30% – have a connection to B.C.
  • 29 of the athletes (16%) list a place in B.C. as their hometown or residence
  • 29 of the athletes (23%) have benefitted from services provided by Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) or the PacificSport Regional Alliance here in B.C.

“These athletes have overcome a lot throughout the global pandemic and we are extremely excited to finally get to see them compete against the world’s best,” said Wendy Pattenden, CEO of Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. “It’s been a privilege to work with a record number of B.C. connected athletes and coaches and their national sport organizations over the past five years. To see so many of them get to compete in Tokyo is a real thrill.”

With sustained investment from Sport Canada (through the Own the Podium Program), National Sport Organizations and the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific), viaSport and its Regional Alliance partners play an integral role in supporting young athletes and coaches from every corner of the province in attaining their goals.

“Following on the incredible success of B.C. athletes at Tokyo 2020, our support now turns to the 29 B.C. Paralympians from across the province competing in a wide array of sports at the Paralympic Games,” said Charlene Krepiakevich, CEO, viaSport BC. “All of our B.C. athletes have overcome adversity to be in the position to compete in the Games. We know their performances in the biggest Para sports event in the world will inspire all British Columbians and their communities.”

B.C. Connected Paralympians come from throughout the province, with an incredible 16 different hometowns named from the 29 athletes who call B.C. home. This diversity of hometowns and regions across B.C. illustrates how sport opportunities are increasingly available and accessible to all British Columbians.  Athletes pursuing the performance pathway can access programs and services provided by CSI Pacific and viaSport’s Regional Alliance partners in their regions.

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

CSI Pacific will be keeping you up to date on the progress of all athletes with a B.C. connection competing at Tokyo 2020.  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.

頑張れ カナダ
Ganbare, Canada!   (“Go Canada!”)

Story by: Noah Wheelock, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific

Original story:http://www.csipacific.ca/highest-ever-percentage-of-bc-connected-athlete…