Canada at the 2008 Summer Paralympics

Infobox Paralympics Canada
games=2008 Summer
competitors= 143
sports= 17
flagbearer=Donovan Tildesley
officials=
gold= 19
silver= 10
bronze= 21
total= 50
rank= 7

Canada sent a delegation to compete at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. 143 Canadian athletes competed in 17 sports.cite news |title=Paralympians up next in Beijing |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=2008-09-04 |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/sports/story.html?id=c6c97c16-e98e-4fdc-b841-8f2ef638c654 |accessdate=2008-09-04] Canada also sent several officials to the games, including Tara Grieve in boccia and Andrew Smith in rowing.cite web |last=Vandermoer |first=Jamie |title=Our best head to the Paralympics in Beijing |work=The Londoner |date=2008-08-27 |url=http://www.thelondoner.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1172847 |accessdate=2008-08-27 ] Canada finished seventh on the medal table at the Beijing games after finishing third on the medal table at the 2004 Summer Paralympics (behind China and Great Britain). [ [http://www.paralympic.ca/page?a=2113&lang=en-CA "CPC announces Canadian team for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in China"] , Canadian Paralympic Committee, July 8, 2008] Swimmer Donovan Tildesley, a world record-holder and medalist at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympics, will be the country's flag bearer at the opening ceremony. [cite news |title=Tildesley named Canada flag-bearer at Paralympics |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2008-09-04 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/story/2008/09/04/paralympics-flag-bearer.html |accessdate=2008-09-04] The delegation is headed by Chef de Mission Debbie Low.

Medalists

= Athletics =

Among the Canadians participating in track and field athletics will be Jeff Adams, André Beaudoin,cite news |last=Care |first=Tony |title=10 Canadian Paralympians to watch |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2008-09-03 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/story/2008/08/29/f-paralympics-canadians-watch.html |accessdate=2008-09-04] Jason Dunkerley, Tracey Ferguson, and Chantal Petitclerc. Ferguson is also a member of the women's wheelchair basketball team.

= Boccia =

Several Canadian boccia players will compete at the Beijing games, including Tammy McLeod and Paul Gauthier.

= Goalball =

Canada sent both women's and men's goalball teams to Beijing.

= Rowing =

Canada will send several athletes to compete in the newly added Paralympic sport of rowing.

= Swimming =

Twenty-one swimmers will be on the Canadian team, including Joe Barker, Andrea Cole, Kirby Côté, Stephanie Dixon, Valérie Grand'Maison, Benoît Huot, Darda Sales, and Donovan Tildesley.

= Wheelchair basketball =

The Canadian men's and women's wheelchair basketball teams will compete at the games. Both teams are currently world champions in the sport. On the women's roster is Tracey Ferguson, also competing in athletics, and Lisa Franks. The men's team includes Patrick Anderson.

= Wheelchair rugby =

Canada will send a wheelchair rugby team to Beijing. Included on the team roster is David Willsie of London, Ontario.

ee also

*2008 Summer Paralympics
*Canada at the 2008 Summer Olympics

External links

* [http://en.beijing2008.com/83/66/column211716683.shtml Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Official Site]
* [http://www.paralympic.org International Paralympic Committee]
* [http://www.paralympic.ca/2008team Full list of Canadian athletes at the Beijing Paralympics] (Canadian Paralympic Committee website)

References