Former Humboldt Bronco Jacob Wassermann will be one of the athletes headed to the Games (file photo/Canadian Press)

By Ben Tompkins

2024 Paralympics

10 Saskatchewan Paralympians to compete in Paris, France

Aug 22, 2024 | 10:07 AM

In just a week’s time, the 2024 Paralympic Games will begin in Paris, France.

In total, 10 Saskatchewan athletes will be competing, in a mixed array of events.

Seven different sports, to be exact, will be played, including cycling, wheelchair basketball, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair fencing, rowing, and athletics.

“Congratulations to the athletes and coaches who will be representing our province at the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games in Paris,” said Saskatchewan Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross.

“Thank you for being strong role models for Saskatchewan and great representatives of our province on the international stage. Know that we are very proud of you and will be cheering you on.”

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Also travelling with the 10 athletes will be four coaches and one member of the mission staff.

The Paralympic Games will begin on August 28th and run until September 8th.

“We are very excited to cheer on these Saskatchewan individuals as they compete at the Paralympic Games,” added Sask Sport Chair Luke Flegel.

“On behalf of myself and the province’s amateur sport system, I wish them the best of luck. Their attendance in Paris represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by not only themselves, but their families and friends. Please join in our celebration to show them we are all Sask Proud!”

One northeast name of note, who will be competing in the games, is Former Humboldt Bronco, Jacob Wassermann.

The 24-year-old and former goalie was one of the 29 members on board the fatal bus crash in April of 2018.

He will be making his Paralympic debut following his national rowing title in the Men’s PR1 single category in 2023.

His silver medal at a continental regatta in Rio de Janeiro in March of this year qualified a Canadian boat for the Paralympic Games.

It was announced, back in June, that he would be the one to fill that boat.

The para-rowing event will run Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in Paris, with heats, repechages and finals.

Another local athlete who will join Wassermann in Paris is Melfort native Julie Kozun. Kozun is set to compete in sitting volleyball.

Other athletes include Meadow Lake’s Nikita Ens in Para Swimming.

The rest of the athletes are:

• Nik Goncin – Wheelchair Basketball, Regina.
• Shelby Newkirk – Para Swimming, Saskatoon.
• Hannah Ouellette – Para Swimming, Saskatoon.
• Garrett Ostepchuk – Wheelchair Basketball, Regina.
• Ashlyn Renneberg – Para Athletics, Saskatoon.
• Ryan Rousell – Wheelchair Fencing, Asquith.
• Keely Shaw – Para Cycling, Midale.

Coaches include:

• Frank Gaudet – Para Badminton, Regina.
• Ryan Jones – Para Swimming, Saskatoon.
• Carla Nicholls – Para Athletics, Regina.
• John Wetzstein – Para Rowing, Regina.

And finally, the mission staff is:

• Chris Dornan, Team Canada, Saskatoon.

–

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8