Canada Names Boccia Team for London 2012

"This group is composed of athletes with leadership and experience along with a couple of Paralympic newbies, bringing energy to the team.''

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA) have together announced the nation’s Boccia team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The nine-member squad features Paul Gauthier of Vancouver, who is headed to his fifth Games and looking to regain the Paralympic gold he won in 2004 in the BC3 class.

Also on the team are Monica Martino and Josh Vander Vies from Vancouver; Marco Dispaltro of St-Jérôme, Quebec, Dave Richer of Ste-Julie, Quebec., Bruno Garneau of Montreal; Adam Dukovich and Tammy McCleod of London, Ontario, and Brock Richardson of Brampton, Ontario.

"This group is composed of athletes with leadership and experience along with a couple of Paralympic newbies, bringing energy to the team,'' head coach Mario Delisle said.

''The final selection of this team was difficult and the coaching staff is pleased to work with these athletes. At the end, we definitely believe we have what we need to create the synergy to be at our best in London."

At the 2011 Parapan American Games last November in Guadalajara, Mexico, Gauthier and Dukovich took gold, Dispaltro silver, and Vander Vies and Richer added bronze medals.

Vander Vies feels Canada is a medal contender at the Paralympics as well.

"I am very proud to be a member of this Paralympic Boccia team,'' he said. ''This team worked incredibly hard to qualify for London 2012 as a country against the top athletes in the world for the last four years. With enough hard work in the coming weeks and months, this team has a real chance to be on the podium in London.”