Ottawa, ON

The 2024 season starts early for Canada’s Paralympic team, as they head to Dubai this week for their final chance to earn spots at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games at the 8th annual Fazza Para Archery World Ranking Event. This event, scheduled from March 2nd to 6th, holds additional significance as it serves as the final Paralympic Qualifier. Canada is seeking to earn additional quota spots for this summer’s Paralympic Games in Paris.

The team consists of four athletes with Team Coach(es), Soha Mahmoud (Cambridge, ON) Linda Price (Mission, BC) who also acts as the Team Manager for this event. .

• Shawn Matheson (ON): Recurve Men
• Carolyn Lindner (MB): Recurve Women
• Chris Waterman (MB): Compound Men
• Kyle Tremblay (ON): Compound Men

Kyle Tremblay, who had earned a quota and his ticket to the Paris Paralympic Games last fall at the Para Pan Am Games, is joining the team to gear up his preparation towards the games. As the first Para event of the season, this event kicks off Kyles journey to the games, allowing him to compete against his upcoming competition and ensure he will be ready when he takes to the competition floor, at the historic Les Invaides field in Paris.

Athletes looking to earn quota spots at this event, and rounding out the team, are Chris Waterman of Winnipeg, MB, Shawn Matheson, Carp, ON and making her National Team Debut Carolyn Lindner of Winnipeg, MB.

Preparing for an outdoor event in Canada this early in the season is always a struggle for Canadian athletes, but Shawn Matheson said: “I’m feeling great. I’ve had the opportunity to do some indoor and outdoor 70m training and shot around the quota number so there is confidence going in. I think I’ve done whatever prep work I can do for this event. Physically and mentally I am ready. Of course it’s putting it all together on competition day but if I keep my form, I feel my chances are good.” He continued: “ I understand it’s early at my experience level and the long term goal is the LA 2028 Olympic Games, but making the Paris team would be a tremendous motivator for the long term. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish in Dubai!”

Event Schedule:

• Saturday March 2 – Official Practice
• Sunday March 3 – Qualification Rounds Day 1
• Monday March 4 – Qualification Rounds Day 2
• Tuesday March 5 – Eliminations
• Wednesday March 6 – Final Qualification Tournament
• Thursday March 7 – Finals

To see results please visit: https://www.ianseo.net/Details.php?toId=16964

For more information, contact Kylah Cawley, High-Performance Manager, at kcawley@archerycanada.ca.