Alison Levine, a boccia player from Canada, couldn’t keep her emotions under check.
The Canadian Paralympics are ready to push the cause ahead. She was overcome with delight, happiness, and pride when she took to the court inside the Ariake Gymnastics Centre for her first practice a day before The Canadian Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
She stated, “I was sobbing uncontrollably. That was something I hadn’t anticipated. It was a very emotional experience to finally make it here and be able to do what I love again after everything I’d gone through, after everything the world had been through. It dawned on me. It had a profound effect on me.”
Priscilla Gagné, a para judo competitor who is a strong medal contender, has been chosen to lead Canadian athletes into the Tokyo Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Tuesday at 4:34 p.m.
In Tokyo, Levine, a Montreal native, is one of 128 Canadian competitors competing. She is the first woman to hold the number one position in her classification on the globe.
“It’s difficult to express how proud I am of you. You may make it here to show the globe and everyone watching, whether it’s a small girl or someone with a disability. You have the ability to accomplish anything “she stated
“If just one person sees or hears me try a sport, I’ve done my job as an athlete.”
Patrick Anderson, a wheelchair basketball superstar from Canada, feels the same way.
Anderson, who is 42 years old, is competing in his fifth Paralympic Games. In his last four games, he’s won three gold and one silver medal.
Anderson, from Fergus, Ont., was nine years old when he was struck by a drunk driver and lost both of his legs below the knee. He discovered wheelchair basketball two years later. He is widely regarded as the greatest in the world at the sport and has dominated for many years.
After skipping the Rio Games, he’s back on the team and hopes to get them back to the podium.
