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With the Pan Am games finished, it’s almost time for the Parapan Am Games to begin. Today, the Parapan Am torch relay arrived in Hamilton, with a twist. Instead of one torch, there are two.
250 torch bearers will carry this flame ahead of the Parapan Am Games in Toronto on Friday. It will shed some light on the obstacles faced by the physically challenged. “Parasports shows the world that we can do the same activities that the sighted community does we just do it somewhat differently.” Says 70 year old Gary Saxon of Hamilton. He doesn’t let his visual impairment stop him from completing triathlons. He’s honoured to carry the torch. “Oh it’s fantastic just to get the opportunity to participate in something not everybody else gets.”
Neither Saxon or Joe Boudreau will compete in the games. Boudreau says he was selected by people at the David Braley Athletics Centre who’ve helped him on his journey. He suffered a spinal chord injury in 2008 while playing soccer. Now boudreau is a wheelchair rugby player and proud to be a part of history. “It feels awesome, it’s such an honour, get your family and friends out they just support you , 100%.”
There are 6 athletes from the David Braley sport medicine clinic who’ll be participating in the Parapan Am Games. Gloria Preston from David Braley Sports Medicine & Rehab Centre is there to help. “We do support them during their journey. They’re elite athletes as well so they train pretty hard and they sustain lots of injuries so we just try to help rehabilitate them and keep them at their optimal performance.”
Carlene Siopis, manager of Torch Relay Communication said this is the most unique torch relay yet. “The two separate flames is unique, it’s never been done in torch relay history anywhere so that was a neat way for us to get things going here.”
The spirit of the games, passed from one person to the next.
