Canadian Paralympians set off for Heroes Tour

Canada won a total of 31 medals at the London 2012 Games, 16 of which came in swimming and seven of which were gold.

Canadian Paralympians joined their Olympic counterparts in the Celebration of Excellence Heroes Tour and Parade this week that kicked off on Wednesday (19 September).

 

The tour connects Paralympians, Olympians and their coaches with students, community leaders and clubs, fans, young hospital patients and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

 

"I am so excited to be able to share my Paralympic experience in London with Canadians," said Benoit Huot, swimmer and Closing Ceremony flag bearer.

 

"This is a great celebration of the accomplishments of our Paralympic and Olympic athletes and gives Canadians a taste of the excitement in London. It will be great to relive some of the emotions from London.”

 

Canada won a total of 31 medals at the London 2012 Games, 16 of which came in swimming and seven of which were gold.

Huot won three individual medals for Canada in London, taking a gold, silver and bronze in the pool, serving as just one of the country’s several stars in the British capital. Canada’s men’s wheelchair basketball team topped the podium at North Greenwich Arena, and wheelchair racer Michelle Stilwell won a gold and a silver in the women’s T52 sprints on the track.

 

To celebrate these achievements, the festivities began with the Heroes Tour in Ottawa, where Paralympic and Olympic athletes visited Ottawa-area schools and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

 

In the afternoon, the Canadian teams were welcomed into the House of Commons by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and presented with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals.

 

The Heroes Tour continues on Thursday in Toronto when athletes will visit area schools and hospitals before attending a reception at Queen's Park hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley and Premier Dalton McGuinty.

 

The day finishes with dinner at Ronald McDonald House and a Performance Excellence Series event with young athletes.

 

On Friday, the tour culminates with the Olympic/Paralympic Heroes Parade which will wind through downtown Toronto before concluding at Maple Leaf Square, outside of Air Canada Centre, for a public celebration.

 

The complete list of Paralympians taking part in the event includes:

Ottawa events

Adam Lancia, Wheelchair Basketball

Amy Kneebone, Goalball

Aurelie Rivard, Swimming

Benoit Huot, Swimming

David Eng, Wheelchair Basketball

Isaac Boucley, Swimming

Jason Crone, Wheelchair Rugby

Jason Dunkerley, Athletics

John Dunkerley, Athletics

Jody Schloss, Equestrian

Josh Karanja (guide), Athletics

Justin Karn, Judo

Marco Dispaltro, Boccia

Don Lane, Marco's assistant

Michelle Stilwell, Athletics

Patrice Dagenais, Wheelchair Rugby

Richard Peter, Wheelchair Basketball

Summer Mortimer, Swimming

Tyler Miller, Wheelchair Basketball

Virginia McLachlan, Athletics

Whitney Bogart, Goalball

Josh Cassidy, Athletics

 

Toronto events

Abdi Dini, Wheelchair Basketball

Adam Lancia, Wheelchair Basketball

Amy Kneebone, Goalball

Aurelie Rivard, Swimming

Benoit Huot, Swimming

Brandon Wagner, Wheelchair Basketball

David Eng, Wheelchair Basketball

Isaac Boucley, Swimming

Jason Crone, Wheelchair Rugby

Jody Schloss, Equestrian

Joel Dembe, Wheelchair Tennis

Justin Karn, Judo

Marco Dispaltro, Boccia

Don Lane, Marco's assistant

Michelle Stilwell, Athletics

Patrice Dagenais, Wheelchair Rugby

Richard Peter, Wheelchair Basketball

Robbi Weldon, Cycling

Shelley Gauthier, Cycling

Summer Mortimer, Swimming

Tyler Miller, Wheelchair Basketball

Virginia McLachlan, Athletics

Whitney Bogart, Goalball

Garrett Hickling, Wheelchair Rugby

Josh Cassidy, Athletics

Josh Vander Vies, Boccia