Canadian Paralympic Team for London 2012: BC Athletes

With misty eyes and heavy hearts, we watched on Sunday as the London 2012 Olympic Games came to a close. Athletic triumphs and defeats, dreams were both realized and shattered like records. However the competition and display of athletic excellent is not over yet. The London 2012 Paralympic Games open up August 29th and will run until September 9th.

If you’re like me, you fell in love with the skill, perseverance, and amazing athleticism of the Paralympics when they were in Vancouver — where Canada placed third in both the gold medal count and the overall medal count). This morning this Canadian Paralympic Committee announced the members of Team Canada who will be going to London to represent out country.

Canada will bring a total of 145 athletes to compete in 15 sports in London. They are joined by 12 athlete support personnel (cycling pilots, running guides, boccia sport assistants and a rowing coxswain), and 134 officials (coaches, managers, support staff, mission staff). The team will be led by Chef de Mission Gaétan Tardif (Toronto, ON) and Assistant Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young (Vancouver, BC).

BC Paralympians Going to London

Kevin Evans from Jaffray, BC for Archery
Vladimir Kopecky from Kimberley, BC for Archery
Nathan Dewitt from Surrey, BC (@NathanJDeWitt) in Athletics
Braedon Dolfo from Langley, BC (@BDolfo93) in Athletics
Michelle Stilwell from Parksville, BC in Athletics (@mikeystilwell)
Dustin Walsh from New Westminster, BC in Athletics (@DWAthletics)
Paul Gauthier from Vancouver, BC in Boccia (@boccia14)
Monica Martino from Vancouver, BC in Boccia (@bocciachick)
Josh Vander Vies from Vancouver, BC in Boccia (@joshvandervies)
Eleonore Elstone from Langley, BC in Equestrian
Ashley Gowanlock from Vancouver, BC in Equestrian (@ashleygowanlock)
Ashlie Andrews from Vancouver, BC in Goalball
Brendan Gaulin from Vancouver, BC in Goalball
Doug Ripley from New Westminster, BC in Goalball (@DougRipley)
Ahmad Zeividavi from Vancouver BC in Goalball
Meghan Montgomery from Victoria, BC in Rowing (@MeghanRows)
Joan Reid from Enderby, BC in Rowing (@JoanRows2012)
Tony Theriault from Nanaimo, BC in Rowing (@BowSeatT)
Stacie Louttit from Victoria, BC in Sailing
John McRoberts from Victoria, BC in Sailing
Bruce Millar from Victoria, BC in Sailing
Doug Blessin from Port Coquitlam, BC in Shooting (@DougBlessin)
Chirstos Trifonidis from Vancouver, BC in Shooting
Sarah Mehain from Vernon, BC in Swimming
Jana Murphy from Victoria, BC in Swimming
Brianna Nelson from Victoria, BC in Swimming
Scott Patterson from Vancouver, BC in Swimming
Nathan Stein from Maple Ridge, BC in Swimming (@natestein)
Donovan Tildesley from Vancouver, BC in Swimming
Bo Hedges from Wonowon, BC in Wheelchair Basketball (@TheRealBoHedges)
Richard Peter from Vancouver, BC in Wheelchair Basketball
Janet Margaret McLachlan from West Vancouver, BC in Wheelchair Basketball (@bigsexxxy5)
Jessica Vliegenthart from Victoria, BC in Wheelchair Basketball (@TheVlieagle)
Elisha Williams from Prince George, BC in Wheelchair Basketball
Ian Chan from Richmond, BC in Wheelchair Rugby
Trevor Hirschfield from Parksville, BC in Wheelchair Rugby (@trevor_hirsch10)
Fabien Lavoie from Vancouver, BC in Wheelchair Rugby
Travis Murao from Richmond, BC in Wheelchair Rugby (@travis_murao12)

I have added all of the above to my BC Athletes at London 2012 list on Twitter.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee has a full list of athletes, guides, assistants, and coaches available on their website, complete the competition schedule.

Follow @CDNParalympics on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for information and updates throughout the Games. Cheer on the Paralympians using the tags #London2012 & #GoCanadaGo on Twitter.

UPDATE Check out the Paralympics broadcast schedule, social media info, and more in this post.