Canada captures 6 more medals at the Parapan American Games
ParpanAmerican Games Mexico
GUADALAJARA – Day 4 of the Parapan American Games saw Canada come away with six more medals in athletics (track and field), bringing the total to 13 (7 silver and 6 bronze).
Virginia McLachlan of Windsor, Ont., captured her second medal of the games in the women’s T37 classification 100-metres final. “It felt really good. I was really nervous for this race”. McLachlan’s time of 16.74 seconds was enough to secure silver behind Brazil’s Jenifer Santos. “This medal is really special to me; I dedicate this to my grandma”. She also won silver in the 200-metres final.
Kyle Whitehouse of Ste-Catherines, Ont., also captured his second medal of the games when he won the silver medal in the men’s T38 200-metres final in a personal best time of 24.37 seconds. Happy with the medal, the race itself was not to his expectations; “I know I could have caught him I don’t know why I slowed down, I could have beaten him”. Brazil’s Edson Pinheiro won the gold medal in 24.03 seconds. Kyle won silver in the 100-metres final on Monday.
In only his first year of competition; Shayne Dobson of Campbellton, N.B., captured a bronze medal in new Canadian record time of 2:19.06 in the men’s T37 800-metres final. If that isn’t memorable enough today is his 20th birthday, “I feel awesome, it was a good race” said a thrilled Dobson. “I hope I can repeat this again tomorrow”. Dobson will line up in tomorrow’s 1500-metres final at 12:20pm local time.
Jason Dunkerley and guide runner Cody Boast both of Ottawa, Ont., raced to silver in the men’s visually impaired 1500-metres final in 4:20.17.“I’m happy to be here and win silver, my principle guide runner got hurt and it was great to have Cody here to step up and help out”. The pair will now shift their focus to tomorrow’s 5000-metres final.
Christy Campbell of Kitchener, Ont., stopped the clock at 23.05 seconds to capture the bronze medal in the women’s T34 100-metres final. Rachael Burrows of Barrie, Ont., crossed the line just behind Campbell in 23.35 seconds.
In the men’s F44 Javelin Alister McQueen of Calgary, Alta., captured bronze with a mark of 44.02-metres. “I feel amazing, I just feel so honoured to represent my country. I’m kind of at a loss for words”. Jackie Marciano of Halifax, N.S., also competed in the Javelin final finishing fifth overall measuring 43.46-metres; a new personal best. Alister, Jackie and teammate Rick Ball of Orillia, Ont., will now take to the track in the men’s T44 200-metres final tomorrow morning at 11:45am local time.
In the men’s T54 classification 800-metres final Isaiah Christophe of Brampton, Ont., stopped the clock in a personal best time of 1:45.61 good enough for a fifth place finish. In the women’s T53 200-metres final Sarah White of Montreal, Que., finished fifth overall in a time of 38.47 seconds.
