Some local Paralympic athletes to watch out for this summer
The 2024 Paralympic Games, set to run from August 28 to September 8 in Paris, will feature anumber of Canadian medal contenders looking to bring home precious hardware. Here are several locals to keep an eye out for during the Games this summer:
Alison Levine competing in individual Boccia at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, November 20, 2023. Photos courtesy of the Canadian Paralympic Committee
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Sport: Boccia
Alison Levine is a veteran of the Paralympic Games, having competed in both the 2016 and 2020 events in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, respectively. The Montrealer is coming off a strong showing at last year’s Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile. Levine captured gold in both her boccia events: the women’s
BC4 individual tournament as well as in the pairs competition alongside fellow Montrealer Iulian Ciobanu. Her exploits in Chile earned her the honour of serving as the Canadian flag bearer during the closing ceremonies. She is looking for her first-ever Paralympic medals in Paris.
Charles Moreau competes in men’s Para cycling handcycle road race at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, September 1, 2021.
Hometown: Victoriaville, QC
Sport: Para Cycling
Charles Moreau is a two-time bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Games. The para cyclist, who was left paralyzed after a road accident in 2008, failed to reach the podium during the 2020 Tokyo Games due to mechanical issues. Nevertheless, the 42-year-old is determined to bounce back in Paris, having earned a bronze medal in the men’s elite handcycle 3 time trial event at the 2023 Parapan American Games last November in Santiago, Chile.
Aurélie Rivard wins gold in the women’s 100m S10 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, August 28, 2021.
Hometown: St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
Sport: Para Swimming
Aurélie Rivard is one of Canada’s most decorated swimmers in history, having won 19 world championship medals and 10 Paralympic medals, including five gold, across three Paralympic Gamesappearances (London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020). Her career-high five medals in Tokyo in 2020 were the most by any Canadian athlete at the Games. Rivard, who is also studying to becomea lawyer, won gold in both the 50m and 100m freestyle at the Para Swimming World Championships last summer in Manchester, England.
Photo: Aurélie Rivard wins gold in the women’s 100m S10 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, August 28, 2021.
Brent Lakatos competes in the men's marathon final at the Tokyo 2020 games, September 5, 2021.
Hometown: Dorval, QC
Sport: Para Athletics
Brent Lakatos’ resume speaks for itself: 11 Paralympic medals (one goal, eight silver and two bronze) across five separate Games (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) and 13 gold medals at the world championships, along with four silver and twobronze. Lakatos, who turns 44 in June, is Canada’s most decorated male wheelchairracer of all-time, surpassing the 10 Paralympic medals earned by Andre Viger. Having added long-distance eventsto his range in Tokyo, Lakatos is expected to compete regularly and often in both sprints and marathon races across multiple distances in Paris.
