WATCH: Josh Dueck’s gold medal run in Sochi
TORONTO – With seven gold, two silver and seven bronze medals, Canada came in fourth place overall at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, after Russia, Ukraine and the U.S.
Canada started off the opening ceremony with flag-bearer and wheelchair curler Sonja Gaudet, and finished with 33-year-old Kimberley, B.C. sit-skier gold and silver medallist Josh Dueck as our closing flag-bearer.
Canadians meeting goals
Brian McKeever and Chris Klebl made sure Canada finished the Sochi Paralympic Winter Games on a high note Sunday, winning their cross-country ski races. McKeever took the men’s visually impaired 10-kilometre event before Klebl surprised the field with a stunning victory in the men’s 10-kilometre sitting category.
The victories pushed Canada’s overall medal count to 16, three shy of the 19 won at the Vancouver Games four years ago.
More importantly, they moved Canada to third in the gold-medal standings, a stated goal that team officials set prior to the Paralympics.
READ MORE: Local athletes showcase importance of Paralympic Games
Canada’s curling trifecta
Canada won a historic curling trifecta in Sochi: A Saturday victory against Russia earned the gold medal, which followed Canada’s podium-topping performances in both men’s and women’s curling at last month’s Olympics and marks the first time a country has won all three tournaments in the same year.
Canada has dominated wheelchair curling since the sport made its Paralympic debut eight years ago, winning gold at both the 2006 and 2010 Games to go along with triumphs in the 2009, 2011 and 2013 world championships.
The Canadian rink included Jim Armstrong, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet, Dennis Thiessen and alternate Mark Ideson. The team defeated their Russian hosts 5-4 during round-robin play, and was supported by a small gathering of fans scattered amongst the noisy and flag-waving home country contingent.
READ MORE: B.C. wheelchair curler has sights set on gold in Sochi
Russia, Ukraine topped the podium
Russia topped the standings with an eye-popping 80 medals – including 30 gold – while Ukraine was second with 25 total medals. Germany was second behind Russia in the gold-medal count with nine.
A look back at the Paralympics opening ceremony:
With files from The Canadian Press
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