Team Canada hopes for big weekend at Parapan Am Games in Toronto
Team Canada is hoping for a golden weekend as the Parapan Am Games kick off in Toronto.
More than 200 Canadian athletes will be competing at the Games, Canada's largest contingent ever. And after a successful showing at the Pan Am Games, Team Canada is eyeing a top-three finish at this competition, which officially opened on Friday night.
Champion para-cyclist Shelley Gautier will have Canada's first crack at the Parapan Am podium when she races on Saturday morning, but it's "Super Sunday" the Canadian team is really looking forward to.
"There's 15 medals events Sunday, Canada has a very good chance of winning gold in seven of them," said Craig Spence, of the International Paralympic Committee.
Canada will field strong teams in several sports, with the women's wheelchair basketball team defending its title and the men's wheelchair rugby team renewing hostilities with the U.S., it's longtime rival in a sport fondly known as "murder ball."
No matter what the sport, TO 2015 CEO Saad Rafi says fans are in for a treat.
"I'm telling you it's going to change your life, and how you not only view sport but how you view humanity, courage, participation and competition," he said.
More than 1,600 athletes from 28 countries will compete at the Games, which run until August 15.
You can catch coverage of the Games on CBC, both online and on television. CBC and its partners will offer more than 250 hours of coverage across television and digital platforms.
