Canada’s Beijing 2008 Chef de Mission Debbie Low, Paralympic hopeful Curtis Thom, other Team Canada Mission staff, Canadian Paralympic Committee representatives and guests from Variety Village and Paralympics Ontario will also be on hand to participate in the pre-game ceremonies and the Argonauts Fan Tunnel.
“We are excited to be working with the Toronto Argonauts to increase awareness of our Canadian Paralympic athletes and the Paralympic Movement in the lead up to and beyond the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games,” said Low. “We would like as many Canadians as possible to join us on the road to Beijing 2008, and experience the spirit of the Paralympic Games.”
Coté is aiming to bring home another gold medal from Beijing, her third Paralympic Games. The athlete, who has 10% vision in both eyes, already has seven gold and four silver Paralympic medals, and has set three world and three Canadian records in her swimming career. The Winnipeg resident will be putting aside her allegiance to the Blue Bombers to cheer on the Argonauts on Thursday.
Gotell’s goal is to break the 100m backstroke record in Beijing for a second gold in that swimming event. She qualified for her first Paralympic Games at age 14, and won gold in the 100m backstroke in Athens in 2004. Born and raised in Antigonish, NS, she’s currently studying psychology at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON.
“Paralympic sport is about sheer athletic determination and skill,” stated Low. “We’re looking forward to being inspired by Canada’s elite-level athletes with a physical disability as they compete at the upcoming Paralympic Games.”
Currently Canadian Sport Centre Ontario President and CEO, Low has been involved in amateur sport for 20 years. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Paralympics Ontario, and Director of Sport for Toronto’s Olympic and Paralympic bid.
The football game starts at 7 p.m. at the Rogers Center, One Blue Jays Way.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Summer Games run Sept. 6-17 in China.
