Canadian selects boccia squad for nomination to Toronto 2015

BC4 world No. 1 Marco Dispaltro is among the 10-person team to represent Canada. 29 May 2015
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Marco Dispaltro will be heading to London 2012 as a member of Canada's Boccia team.

Marco Dispaltro, London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist and world No. 1

ⒸCanadian Paralympic Committee and Matthew Murnaghan
By NPC Canada

“Whether this is your first Parapan Am Games or whether you are a veteran, this will be a Games like no other. Plan now on using these home Games to your advantage."

London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist and world No. 1 Marco Dispaltro headlines the 10 athletes selected to the boccia team at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

 

Joining the athletes are head coach Mario Delisle and his staff Cesar Nicolai (BC4 coach), Shannon Sydorak (BC3) and Ed Richardson (BC1/2), announced by the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA).

 

Team Canada hopes to follow up on their performance at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan American Games, where they won five medals. Returning from that 2011 squad are Paul Gauthier and Adam Dukovich, who captured gold then, and Dispaltro won the silver. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Dispaltro won bronze with recently-retired teammate Josh Vander Vies.

 

"The Canadian boccia team is anticipating a strong showing in Toronto," Marie Dannhaeuser, CCPSA executive director, said. "The Americas region is very strong in boccia. We are ready to go head to head against some of the best in the world, and aim to repeat our podium success from previous Parapan Am Games."

 

The announcement comes on the heels of standout boccia performances last month at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal, Canada, at the 2015 Americas Pairs and Team competition, where Canada qualified for spots for Rio 2016 in the BC3 and BC4 pairs events.

 

"A warm welcome to every boccia athlete selected to the team,” Elisabeth Walker-Young, Canada's Chef de Mission, said. “Whether this is your first Parapan Am Games or whether you are a veteran, this will be a Games like no other. Plan now on using these home Games to your advantage."

 

The complete roster includes:

 

-Chris Halpen BC1

-Adam Dukovich BC2

-Eric Bussiere BC3

-Bruno Garneau BC3

-Alison Levine BC4

-Carolina Vietnieks BC4

-Hanif Mawji BC1

-Tammy McLeod BC2

-Paul Gauthier BC3

-Marco Dispaltro BC4

-Marion Delisle Head Coach

-Ed Richardson Coach BC1/2

-Cesar Nicolai BC4

-Shannon Sydorak BC3

 

The Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, the fifth edition of the Parapan American Games, will host over 1,600 athletes from 28 countries and take place from 7-15 August. The boccia team is the third of 14 Canadian teams to be selected for nomination to this year's Parapan Am Games team. The complete Canadian Parapan Am team of approximately 220 athletes will be officially announced in July 2015.