Canada Hosts Elite Para Athletes in Three Major Events

Canadians will witness world-class Para sport action this week as three major international competitions kick off across the country.

Montreal's Parc Jean-Drapeau hosts the Para canoe World Cup from Thursday through Sunday, bringing together Paralympic medalists and rising stars. Ottawa's Brianna Hennessy, Canada's first-ever Paralympic canoe medalist, will race on the same waters where the 1976 Olympics took place 50 years ago.

"To be able to have family and friends there and with it being at home, we're going to have a pretty good fan base," Hennessy shared. "They come see what you work on every day."

Six Canadian paddlers will compete across different classifications, with all races streaming live on Planet Canoe's YouTube channel. The same athletes will stay in Montreal for the Pan Am Championships running July 13-15.

In Toronto, the Senior Men's National Wheelchair Basketball Team hosts Australia, Italy, and the United States at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre from July 10-14. The five-day tournament serves as preparation for the World Championships coming to Ottawa in September.

All 10 games are free to watch, giving fans a preview of the sport's premier event just three months away. The championship game takes place July 14 at 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Paralympic swimming star Aurélie Rivard continues her comeback at the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials. The 30-year-old from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu just won her second national title in two days, dominating the 400m freestyle after sitting out 2025 to complete her law degree.

"That event has given me the highest of highs over the years," said Rivard, who has medaled in the 400m free at all four of her Paralympic Games. "I'm trying to find my bearings again."

The Ripple Effect

These competitions showcase how Canada has become a destination for elite Para sport. Hosting world-class events gives Canadian athletes home-field advantage while inspiring the next generation of Para athletes watching from the stands or streaming at home.

Paralympic triathlon champion Stefan Daniel returns to international competition Saturday in Hamburg, Germany, adding another Canadian presence on the world stage this week.