The 2016 Paralympic Games officially kicked off Wednesday in Rio, Brazil. Canada has 162 athletes competing in 19 sports, including two new ones: para-triathlon and para-canoe.
If you’re looking for someone local to cheer for, five Manitoba-born athletes will be competing.
Ian Chan
Sport: Wheelchair Rugby
Games: Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 6201
Age: 36
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Man.
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Biography
Winnipeg-born Ian Chan is the co-captain of Canada’s wheelchair rugby team, and a three-time Paralympic medallist. In 2000, Chan made his Paralympic debut at the Sydney Games, and has captured a medal at every Summer Games since.
Competition Schedule
Wednesday, Sept 14 at 3:15 p.m. CT vs. Brazil.
Chantal Givens
Sport: Para-triathlon
Games: Rio 2016
Born: June 1, 1978
Age: 38
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79kg
Birthplace: Edmonton, AB.
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
Biography
Chantal Givens will make history as a part of Canada’s first paratriathlon team in the inaugural paratriathlon event. She is a three-time Canadian Paratriathlon champion and has placed fourth at the World Championships twice.
Competition Schedule
Women’s PT4 Race: Sunday, Sept 11 at 10:30 a.m. CT.
Meghan Montgomery
Sport: Para-rowing
Games: Beijing 2008, London 2013
Born: June 11, 1981
Age: 35
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79kg
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Man.
Hometown: Brandon, Man.
Biography
Meghan Montgomery has emerged from retirement in hopes of capturing Canada’s first Paralympic medal in rowing.
Montgomery competed in the mixed plus event at the Beijing Paralympic Games, and four years later at the London Paralympic Games.
Competition schedule
LTAMix4 and First Heat: Friday, Sept 9 at 6:30 a.m. CT
Leanne Muldrew
Sport: Sitting volleyball
Games: Rio 2016
Born: July 7, 1983
Age: 33
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 86 kg
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Man.
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
Biography
Leanne Muldrew returns to the women’s national sitting volleyball team for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. Muldrew played for Canada in 2011 and was on the squad that placed third at the London 2012 Paralympic Games qualifier.
Competition Schedule
Friday, Sept 9 at 2:30 p.m. CT vs. Brazil
Michelle Stilwell
Sport: Para-athletics
Games: Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016
Born: July 4, 1974
Age: 42
Birthplace: Ashern, Man.
Hometown: Parksville, BC
Biography
The Honourable Michelle Stilwell is a politician and four-time Paralympic gold medallist. The Winnipeg-born Paralympian began her career at the 2000 Games in Sydney, where she brought home gold with her wheelchair basketball team. She then took to the track, and returned to the Games in 2008 and 2012 as a category T52 track athlete. Two gold medals in Beijing (followed by a gold and silver in London), made Stilwell the first female athlete ever to win gold in two different summer sports at the Paralympics.
Competition Schedule
Women’s 400m T51/52 Final: Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 a.m. CT
Women’s 100m T51/52 Final: Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 a.m. CT
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