Introducing Canada’s first-ever Paralympic triathlon team headed for Rio
Triathlon Canada has announced it’s first-ever, four-member Paralympic triathlon team who will head to Rio in September. The talented squad have all earned medals at notable races around the world and are determined to make history at triathlon’s Paralympic debut this year.
Leading the impressive Canadian team is Calgary’s Stefan Daniel, whose dream season last year consisted of multiple gold medals and a world championship win in Chicago. The 19-year-old, who competes in the men’s PT4 category, was born with bilateral radial club hands which significantly affects his right arm. Over the last few years, he has built up an impressive triathlon resume which includes the 2015 national title at the able-bodied junior men’s championships which took place in Quebec last year. Daniel is a gold-medal favourite heading into the race.
“Representing Canada has always been extremely rewarding, but going to the Paralympics is going to be a totally new and exciting experience,” said Daniel. “I’ve dreamed of representing Canada at the highest level, and I could not be more excited to do it in Rio.”
A strong duo in Christine Robbins and her guide Sasha Boulton have spent the year wracking up impressive performances in the women’s PT5 category. Robbins, a 38-year-old visually-impared athlete, has been in the sport for three years and had her eye on the paralympics ever since. Boulton, her 22-year-old guide, was on a path towards an Olympic triathlon goal herself before developing a career-threatening injury. She became Robbins’ guide in 2014 and the two have been focused on working their way to a paralympic medal ever since.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be selected,” said Robbins. “It is a dream come true to represent Canada at the 
Paralympics and to do it as part of a debut sport makes it even more special. I am so excited to see how para-triathlon will grow after being put on the world stage at the Rio Games.”
“As a guide to Christine, I never expected my dream to represent Canada at a Games to become a reality,” said Boulton. “Being alongside Christine as she accomplishes her goal is a very overwhelming feeling. I hope that as we step on the start line in Rio, fellow Canadians will share my sense of pride and hopefully we will inspire more Canadians to make the Paralympics a dream of their own.”
“As a guide to Christine, I never expected my dream to represent Canada at a Games to become a reality,” said Boulton. “Being alongside Christine as she accomplishes her goal is a very overwhelming feeling. I hope that as we step on the start line in Rio, fellow Canadians will share my sense of pride and hopefully we will inspire more Canadians to make the Paralympics a dream of their own.”
The final member of the four-member team is Winnipeg’s Chantal Givens, who got her start in the sport in 2001 and has been focused on making the Paralympic team ever since. Givens is no stranger to the podium and earned her first World Paratriathlon event victory in Spain recently. She is a medal-favourite in the women’s PT4 category.
“I actually got the official news after completing a beautiful swim and trail run in Victoria. The last time I was in the B.C. rainforest was during my last sailing trip with my late father. I felt as though he was there with me to share the exciting news. My emotions are running high and I’m feeling ready to buckle down for the last big training block,” said Givens.
“Growing up, I had the mindset of being the best that I can be and to not be afraid to work for it. My Dad had told me that we appreciate things more the harder we work for them, and I can definitely say that I appreciate this opportunity.”
The team is coached by Triathlon Canada’s 2015 elite coach of the year, Carolyn Murray.
Check back on TMC‘s website for individual profiles on the Paralympic team later this week.
