- Canada
to be represented by Trinity Lowthian, Ruth Sylvie Morel, and Ryan Rousell
- Paris 2024 Paralympic Games takes place
August 28 to September 8
OTTAWA,
ON, July 12, 2024 /CNW/ - A team of three
athletes has been nominated to compete for Canada in wheelchair fencing at the
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the
Canadian Paralympic Committee and Fencing Canada announced
Friday.
Paris 2024 Canadian
Paralympic Team – WHEELCHAIR FENCING
- Trinity Lowthian – Ottawa,
ON
- Ruth Sylvie Morel – Pincourt,
QC
- Ryan Rousell – Saskatoon,
SK
Morel is the veteran of the team, headed for her fourth
Paralympic Games. She was the first Canadian to compete in the
sport back at the Sydney 2000
Paralympic Games, where she placed 10th in epee. The
67-year-old also participated at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020. She ranked 21st in the
women's category A sabre 2024 Paralympic Games qualifying
standings.
"These will be my last Paralympic Games as an athlete, it has
been a long and arduous road full of surprises, both positive and
negative," said Morel. "I have surpassed all my dreams and
expectations by going to my fourth Paralympics, and I am just
absolutely astounded that I have made it this far. At my age, you
rarely see elite athletes competing with other athletes 40 years
younger than them.
"Sport was always my way out of tough situations in my life. I
was never extremely talented in sport, but I was never scared of
hard work to make your life what you want it to be. I am thankful
to have made my dreams and hopes a reality."
Rousell made his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and since then the 27-year-old has
continued to rise internationally. In 2024, the left-handed Rousell
took gold in men's category A sabre and bronze in epee at the
Americas Championships in Sao
Paulo just two years after double gold at the same
championships. He was 11th in the
Paralympic qualifying standings for Paris in sabre and 25th for
epee.
"I am excited to experience my second Paralympic Games the way
it's supposed to be, without the pandemic restrictions," said
Rousell. "I've worked hard to get there and am eager to
perform."
This will be the first Paralympic Games for 22-year-old
Lowthian, who started competing in wheelchair fencing just two
years ago. She also sparkled at the recent Americas Championships
with gold in women's category B sabre and epee, and bronze in foil.
In Paralympic Games qualifying, she ranked 12th in epee
and 17th in sabre.
"If I could go back in time and tell five-year-old Trinity,
10-year-old Trinity, or even 18-year-old Trinity that I am going to
the Paralympics, she would not believe me or even have thought that
it was possible," said Lowthian. "But here I am, after so much hard
work and more than a few setbacks, heading to my first Paralympics
and feeling stronger than ever. I would never have been able to do
this alone and am so grateful to my entire community and Ottawa
Fencing for rallying behind me."
The Paris 2024 qualifying
period was from October 2022 to
May 2024 and a top-30 ranking was
needed to be eligible for the Games.
Wheelchair fencing at the Paralympic Games will take place at
Grand Palais, an iconic venue in the heart of Paris from September
3-7. Morel will compete in the women's Class A sabre,
Rousell in the men's Class A sabre and epee, and Lowthian in the
women's Class A sabre and epee.
"A huge and warm congratulations to Sylvie, Ryan, and Trinity on
qualifying for the Paris Games!"
said Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de
mission, Paris 2024 Canadian
Paralympic Team. "This is a strong, talented, and dedicated group
of wheelchair fencers with lots of recent success to their names. I
know they are excited and ready to compete in Paris, and the whole team will be cheering
them on."
"I am so pleased to welcome our wheelchair fencing trio of
Sylvie, Ryan, and Trinity to the Canadian Paralympic Team," said
Josh Vander Vies, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. "What an
accomplishment for Sylvie to compete at her fourth Games, 24 years
after her first. This team represents an incredible mix of
experience, with Sylvie's veteran presence, Ryan's rising success,
and Trinity making her Paralympic debut. I look forward to watching
them compete."
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
will take place August 28 to September
8 in Paris, France.
Canada is expecting to send a team
of approximately 130 athletes.
Prior to being officially named to the Canadian Paralympic Team,
all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic
Committee. The current list of nominated athletes can be found
HERE. The approved final roster will be announced closer to the
start of the Games.
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee:
Paralympic.ca
About Fencing Canada: Fencing.ca
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)