Posted: July 2, 2008

Paralympics: Athletics Canada names 2008 Paralympics Games Team

Wednesday, July 02, 2008 OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the names of the athletes who will compete at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. The Paralympic Games begin September 6 with the athletics schedule kicking off September 8 and concluding September 17. Head Coach Bruce Pirnie sees great potential from the team. “Led by Chantal Petitclerc, arguably the world’s greatest wheelchair racer, the 2008 athletics Paralympic team is a strong blend of veteran athletes representing all disability groups.  Twelve of the 26 athletes nominated by Athletics Canada have performances that rank them in the top 3 in the World for their event.  Although we have fewer athletes than 4 years ago in Athens, we know that our core group remains very competitive.”  Pirnie is confident the team’s experience will be a great asset, “The leadership of veterans such as Chantal Petitclerc, Diane Roy, Jason Dunkerley and many other s with Paralympic Games experience creates an atmosphere of excellence that makes us a contender every time we’re on the track or in the field.” Chantal Petitclerc of Montréal will be making to her 5th Paralympic Games appearance looking to improve on her total of 16 medals.  She is one of the world’s most decorated athletes holding two world records in the T54 wheelchair along with numerous Canadian records and titles.  The team will depend on a group of core veterans but it will also count some notable first-time Paralympians who should find themselves in the mix for a podium finish.  Michelle Stilwell from Nanoose Bay, BC burst onto the scene in 2007 with four gold medals in the T52 category at the IWAS World Championships in Taiwan.  She’s followed that up by setting two World records so far this season in the 100 and 200 metres.  Athletics Canada’s 2008 Paralympic Games team Name Class Event Hometown Coach Jeff Adams T54 400m, 800m,1500m Toronto, ON Peter Eriksson Dean Bergeron T52 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m St-Augustin-de-Desmautes, QC Pierre Pomerleau André Beaudoin T52 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m Montréal, QC Marc Desjardins Josh Cassidy T54 800m, 1500m, 5000m Oakville, ON Amanda Fader Jean-Paul Compaore Earle Connor T54 T42 400m, 800m 100m Sherbrooke, QC Calgary, AB Jean Laroche Les Gramantik Greg Dailey   Guide Runner for Jason Dunkerley Toronto, ON   Ilana Duff T53 100m, 200m, 400m Saskatoon, SK Rick Reelie Jason Dunkerley T11 1500m, 800m (T12) Ottawa, ON Ray Elrick Jon Dunkerley T11 100m, 200m, 400m Ottawa, ON Andrew Pagé Tracey Ferguson T54 200m, 1500m, 5000m Holland Landing, ON Peter Eriksson Michel Filteau T54 1500m, 5000m, Marathon St-Jean Baptiste, QC Marc Desjardins Éric Gauthier T53 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m St-Faustin-Lac-Carre, QC Marc Desjardins Clayton Gerein T52 Marathon Pilot Butte, SK Terry Mountjoy Brent Lakatos T53 100m, 200m, 400m Dorval, QC Peter Eriksson Mark Ledo T54 5000m, Marathon Maple, ON Peter Lawless Jessica Matassa T54 , 200m, 400m, 800m Windsor, ON David Greig Colin Mathieson T54 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m Winnipeg, MB Jean Laroche Megan Muscat Chantal Petitclerc T37 T54 100m, 200m 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m St. Thomas, ON Montréal , QC David Greig Peter Eriksson Kyle Pettey F34 Shot Put, Discus Brampton, ON Ken Hall Stefanie Reid T44/ F44 100m, 200m, Long Jump Windsor, ON Brett Lumley Leah Robinson T37 100m, 200m Mannheim, ON Dave Greig Diane Roy T54 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, Marathon Hatley, QC Jean Laroche Michelle Stilwell T52 100m, 200m Nanoose Bay, BC Peter Lawless Kris Vriend F36 Shot Put, Discus Edmonton, AB Georgette Reid Dustin Walsh T11 200m, 400m Coquitlam, BC Don Steen Steve Walters   Guide Runner for Dustin Walsh New Westminster, BC Don Steen Sean Young   Guide Runner for Sean Dunkerley Ottawa, ON Andrew Pagé/ Ray Elrick Team Staff         Danny Daniels Head of Delegation Sydney, BC   Bruce Pirnie Head Coach Winnipeg, MB   Melissa Dowling Manager Ottawa, ON   Peter Eriksson Wheelchair racing coach Ottawa, ON   Amanda Fader Wheelchair racing coach Ottawa, ON   Dave Greig Ambulatory coach Windsor, ON   Jean Laroche Wheelchair racing coach Sherbrooke, QC   Georgette Reed Seated and standing throws coach Edmonton, AB   Jerome Camacho Athletic Therapist Toronto, ON   Marc Deschenes Equipment technician Montréal, QC   Yvonne Visser Massage Therapist Nanaimo, BC   Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field, cross-country running, road running and road racing.  -AC- Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest