Argentinian and Canadian athletes announced for Rio

Argentina’s athletics and Canada’s shooting and wheelchair tennis teams for September’s Paralympic Games have been announced. 05 Jul 2016

Jonathan Avellaneda (Argentina) competing in the Men's High Jump T42/44/47 in Toronto at the 2015 Parapan American Games.

ⒸJon Blacker

By Argentinian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee

Argentina’s athletics and Canada’s shooting and wheelchair tennis teams for Rio 2016 have been announced.

London 2012 third-placed Hernan Barreto and 2015 World Championships silver and bronze medallist Yanina Martinez will spearhead the Argentinian athletics team at Rio 2016.

Shot putters Hernan Urra and Florencia Romero, long jumpers Daniel Tataren, Jonathan Avellaneda and Aldana Ibanez, javelin thrower Karina Loyola, sprinter Nicolas Aravena, discus thrower Sergio Paz and middle-distance runner Mariano Dominguez will also compete in Rio.

Canada nominated wheelchair tennis player Philippe Bedard to be part of the delegation at September’s Paralympic Games.

“This is an amazing achievement,” he said. “I have worked extremely hard for this and now that it is official, I could not be prouder. I will represent Canada this summer in Rio with the determination and the intensity that got me there. And I will be smiling the whole way.”

This is going to be Bedard’s second Paralympic Games, after losing in the round of 32 at London 2012.

Shooter Doug Blessin has also been announced as part of Canada’s Paralympic delegation.

"After making the team for London 2012 and not finishing to my potential, I doubled my efforts and training for the next quad, determined to keep besting all of my previous results," he said.

In 2014, he was diagnosed with leukemia and Blessin stopped training for almost six months.

"Since beating that and getting back to health, I am meeting my goals and fully expect to hit my stride and place well in Rio," he said.

"My focus and determination have never been stronger."

Argentina athletics team

Men

Hernan Barreto

Hernan Urra

Daniel Tataren

Nicolas Aravena

Sergio Paz

Jonathan Avellaneda

Mariano Dominguez