Canada doubles Paralympic gold from Tokyo restoring momentum at games
Global News
Canada's 10 gold medals in Paris were the most since 19 in Beijing in 2008, and also doubled the output at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
What looked like a bounce back for Canada at the Paralympic Games was more of a return to form.
Canada’s 10 gold medals in Paris were the most since 19 in Beijing in 2008, and also doubled the output at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
The 29 medals overall matched Rio in 2016 and far surpassed the 21 in Tokyo.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected para sport more than able-bodied sport with international and domestic competition decimated.
Canada’s tight restrictions around the pandemic added an extra layer of challenge for Tokyo hopefuls in addition to the adaptations they made to pursue their sport.
Canadian athletes showed what they could do in Paris with more optimal preparation.
“I would say it’s a bit of a bounce forward,” Canadian Paralympic Committee chief executive officer Karen O’Neill said Sunday.
“This really is a crossroads for Canada because what we wanted to do was stop the downturn of our reduced performance, especially in summer sport, that’s been evidenced over the last couple of quads.