In late July, Athletics Canada named 20 Canadian para athletes to the Paralympic athletics team–a roster that includes five returning Paralympic medallists. Now, the 2024 Paralympic Games are just one day away, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Paris, with athletics events beginning on Friday, Aug. 30. Quite a few athletes have plans to take home more than just memories–take a look at Canada’s medal favourites.
Nate Riech (T38 1,500m)
The reigning Paralympic champion and two-time world champion in the men’s T38 1,500m, Nate Riech, is returning to the world stage to defend his title. The ASICS athlete holds a personal best and T38 world record of 3:47.49, while his time of 3:58.92 ran at Tokyo 2020 bested the former Paralympic record.
Elite athletics runs in the Victoria native’s blood–his mother, Ardin Tucker, was a Canadian champion in the pole vault, and his father, Todd Riech, competed for Team USA in the javelin throw at the 1996 Olympic Games. (Riech is also the cover model for the September/October 2024 print issue of Canadian Running, on newsstands now.)
Athletics Canada nominates 20 athletes for 2024 Paralympic Games
Bianca Borgella (T13 100m)
After only starting to compete in 2021, Bianca Borgella of Ottawa will be making her Paralympic debut in Paris, with very big goals, after taking home silver in the T13 200m and bronze in the 100m at the 2023 World Para Athletics championships. This 21-year-old is the newest emerging star in Canadian para athletics.
Noah Vucsics (T20 long jump)
Another breakout performer is Calgary’s Noah Vucsics, who earned a silver medal in the men’s T20 long jump with a 7.35m leap and a Canadian record at the 2023 world championships in Paris. He earned bronze in the event at the Parapan American Games a few weeks later. The 24-year-old will have eyes on the gold as he makes his Paralympic debut.
Marissa Papaconstantinou (T64 100m, 200m)
Toronto’s Marissa Papaconstantinou will be looking to upgrade her Paralympic bronze medal as she makes an appearance at her third Paralympic Games. The sprinter won bronze in the women’s T64 100 metres in Tokyo and in both the 100m and 200m at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships last year.
Brent Lakatos (T53 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m)
Paris 2024 will mark 11-time Paralympic medallist Brent Lakatos’s sixth Paralympic Games. The wheelchair racer from Dorval, Que., is seeking redemption after falling short of his goals at Tokyo 2020, where he was runner-up is each of his four events. More recently, Lakatos won gold in the 800m and silver in the 1,500m and 400m at the 2023 World Championships in Paris.
The 2024 Paralympic Games begin on August 28 and come to a close on September 8. Live events can be streamed on CBC Gem, and results can be found here.
