- Hennessy, Scarff, and St-Pierre set for second Paralympic
appearances
- Paris
2024 Paralympic Games takes place August 28
to September 8
OTTAWA,
ON, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Three athletes –
Brianna Hennessy, Erica Scarff, and Mathieu St-Pierre – have been nominated to
represent Canada in the sport of
Para canoe at the Paris 2024
Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canoe Kayak
Canada announced Monday.
Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team – PARA
CANOE
- Brianna Hennessy –
Ottawa, ON
- Erica Scarff – Mississauga, ON
- Mathieu St-Pierre –
Shawinigan, QC
Paris will be the second
Paralympic Games appearance for all three athletes. Hennessy and
St-Pierre competed at Tokyo 2020 while Scarff, at the age of 20, was
part of the first-ever Para canoe roster to compete at the Games,
as the sport made its Paralympic debut in 2016.
"I am so excited for my second Paralympic Games," said Hennessy.
"Our team has been working extremely hard to become a medal
potential for these Games. I hope that we can make our country
proud and bring home some shiny hardware! I can't wait to wear the
Canadian flag with the utmost pride!"
Both Hennessy and Scarff reached the podium at the 2023 Para
Canoe World Championships, earning Paralympic quota spots for
Canada. Hennessy took silver in
the women's VL2 200m and bronze in
the KL1 200m, while Scarff finished
second in the women's VL3 200m.
At the 2024 worlds last month, Hennessy secured another silver
medal in the VL2 event while Scarff was fourth in the VL3.
"We are in our final push towards Paris and there is lots of preparation still
ahead," said Scarff. "I am looking forward to showcasing our hard
work and enjoying our Paralympic moment!"
A final Paralympic quota spot for the nation was earned by
St-Pierre at the 2024 worlds
following a seventh-place finish in the men's VL2 200m.
"For an athlete, participating in the Paralympic Games is the
pinnacle of their career," said St-Pierre. "It is truly an honour to be able
to compete for your country and to give everything in order to
bring back a medal. It is also an opportunity to show all those who
have made sacrifices for us that with their support we can achieve
the ultimate goal!"
Para canoe is contested in two different boats – K classes race
in kayaks while V classes race in va'a, an outrigger canoe with a
support float. In Paris, Hennessy
will compete in both the women's VL2 and KL1 200m events, while Scarff will feature in the
women's VL3 200m race and
St-Pierre in the men's VL2
200m.
Para canoe events will take place September 6-8 at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical
Stadium in Paris. The heats will
race day one, with semifinals and finals running September 7 and 8.
This will be the third Games Para canoe will be on the
Paralympic program, first debuting in 2016. Canada is still looking for its first medal in
the sport.
"A huge congratulations to Brianna, Erica, and Mathieu on their
nomination to compete at this summer's Paralympic Games," said Josh
Vander Vies, co-chef de mission, Paris 2024 Canadian Paralympic Team. "All
three are experienced racers, and it has been so exciting to follow
their international success over the past few years leading into
the Games. I know they will be ready for Paris."
"We are so thrilled to welcome three outstanding athletes in
Brianna, Erica, and Mathieu to the Canadian Paralympic Team," said
Karolina Wisniewska, co-chef de
mission, Paris 2024 Canadian
Paralympic Team. "Para canoe is still a fairly new sport at the
Paralympic Games, and I cannot wait to see it in person. I'll be
there to cheer them on!"
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
will take place August 28 to September
8 in Paris, France.
Canada is expecting to send a team
of approximately 140 athletes.
Prior to being officially named to the Canadian Paralympic Team,
all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Paralympic
Committee. The current list of nominated athletes can be
found HERE. The approved final roster will be announced closer
to the start of the Games.
About the Canadian Paralympic
Committee: Paralympic.ca
About Canoe Kayak Canada: Canoekayak.ca
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)