The Canadians immediately made an impact at the Paralympics as the 2024 edition of the games got underway in Paris on Thursday.
Two Canadian athletes managed to reach the podium as cyclist Kate O'Brien earned Canada’s first medal (bronze) and Aurelie Rivard swam to bronze in women’s 50m freestyle.
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The pair of Paralympians were also a part of Canadian history today as their podium finishes pegged them as the first Canadian Paralympians to earn financial awards at the games.
Following an announcement from earlier this year, Paralympians will earn $20,000 for winning gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze at the Paralympic Games.
Canadian Olympians have received financial rewards since 2006.
PREMIÈRE JOURNÉE, PREMIÈRE MÉDAILLE! 🇨🇦
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) August 29, 2024
La cycliste Kate O’Brien profite de la chute de la britannique Kadeena Cox et remporte le bronze au 500 m C4-5 en paracyclisme sur piste. 🥉
Présenté par @PetroCanada@empty_kate @CDNParalympique #Paris2024 #jeuxparalympiques #rcsports pic.twitter.com/GNuu9Hso1Z
“I honestly didn’t think this was in the cards,” said O’Brien to Canadian Paralympic Committee staff on winning a medal in Paris.
“I’ve never won a first medal of anything, and it just means a lot. And to have so much support behind it from Canada and my family and friends, I can’t describe it.”
This was Rivard’s 11th Paralympic medal as she earned bronze in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 event.
Paranatation 🏊: Dans une finale très serrée pour le podium au 50 m style libre S10, @AurelieRivard repart avec le bronze.🥉 @swimmingcanada @CDNParalympique #Paris2024 #jeuxparalympiques #rcsports pic.twitter.com/yr5WXAFbOK
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) August 29, 2024
“I can’t be disappointed, I can’t stop smiling, it was such a great moment to share with my family and to have the stands full, and people are so happy to be here,” Rivard told Canadian Paralympic Committee staff.
The action will continue on Friday with the spotlight pointed at Jacob Wassermann.
Wassermann is making his Paralympic rowing debut on Friday, six years after he survived the Humboldt Broncos bus crash which left him paralyzed from the waist down.
The Humboldt native discovered rowing in 2022 and won a gold medal at the Canadian Championships in 2023.
A Canadian rowing tradition reserved only for this moment 🍁 Jacob Wassermann is ready! 🇨🇦#ParalympicGames #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Np3PHaZyc6
— Rowing Canada Aviron (@rowingcanada) August 28, 2024
