After supporting several local athletes in the Olympics last month, Parry Sound-Muskoka has more to cheer for as two athletes from the region prepare to compete in the Beijing Paralympics from March 4 to 13.
Canada is sending 49 athletes to this year’s Paralympic Winter Games, including wheelchair curler Mark Ideson from Parry Sound and Para nordic skier Collin Cameron from Bracebridge. Both Ideson and Cameron have competed and medalled in the Paralympics before. Ideson competed as part of the gold-winning curling team in 2014 and led the team to a bronze medal in 2018 as skip. He will be skipping the team once again for the 2022 Games. Their first match is against China at 1:35 a.m. EST on March 5.
“It’s such an honour to be selected for what will be my third Paralympics,” Ideson said in a statement from the team. “Going once was incredible, but having the opportunity to wear the maple leaf again is amazing. That’s really what it’s about, opportunity. Opportunity for athletes living with disabilities to represent their country in their chosen sport, and to be seen and witnessed as athletes striving for their dreams to sing their anthem atop the podium.”
Cameron made an impression with his Paralympic debut in 2018, winning three bronze medals in PyeongChang. He’s one of 12 Para nordic athletes racing for Canada this year and he will compete in the men’s sit ski category. His first event is the six-kilometre Para biathlon sprint, which starts at 9:40 p.m. EST on March 4.
Click here to view the schedule for the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
