Unforgettable experience for Rick Ball - Printable Version +- Running Information Forums (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums) +-- Forum: Country and General Discussion (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Forum-Country-and-General-Discussion) +--- Forum: Canada (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Forum-Canada) +---- Forum: Pre-Event and Other news (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Forum-Pre-Event-and-Other-news) +---- Thread: Unforgettable experience for Rick Ball (/Thread-Unforgettable-experience-for-Rick-Ball)

Unforgettable experience for Rick Ball - TheEd - 24-11-2011 (Orillia, ON) – After his strong international sprinting debut at the Para Pan-American Games, amputee runner Rick Ball returns home to a familiar role – mentoring children and other people with disabilities. In Guadalajara, earlier this month, Ball ran a finished fifth in the (T-44) 400-metres with a time of 59.03 seconds, admitting to some nervousness in the starting blocks. The 2011 Ontario Parasport Male Athlete of the Year rebounded four days later with a personal best of 26.32 seconds in the 200-metre final, shaving 7-10ths of a second off his previous mark. “Being a part of Team Canada in Mexico was both unbelievable and unforgettable,” says Ball. “I learned so much from the first race and then laid it all out in the second race. The support I received from Athletics Canada, other competitors, folks from home and the running community following me online during the Games…it was just an amazing experience. I’m truly thankful.” The 46-year-old Ball returns to Antigua on Saturday, November 26, for the Trans-Antigua half-marathon at the request of event organizers and supporters, Air Canada Vacations, Sandals Foundation and Xtreme Fitness. The goal is to raise as much funding as possible to help support youth in Antigua and Barbuda. Ball will be armed with items graciously donated by Athletics Canada, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Running Room and other supporters for a charity auction. In 2010, Ball spoke to school children and inspired athletes with various disabilities to never give up on their dreams, and the tiny country to establish the Antigua and Barbuda Paralympic committee. In September 2011, Rick was named to Team Canada and a recipient of a grant from CANFund, a not-for-profit organization devoted solely to raising funds and awareness for Canadian athletes. Ball’s next goal is to represent Canada at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.