Commonwealth Games to feature first fully-integrated para sports

This year’s Commonwealth Games is the first multisport games to achieve full integration of para-sports. The achievement has been lauded by Canadian chef de mission and Olympic medallist in synchronized swimming Claire Carver-Dias.

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The "Why I love the Commonwealth Games" @GC2018 Countdown – Reason #8: The Commonwealth Games are the only mutlisport Games with a fully integrated para-sport program. #inclusion @cgc_jcc https://t.co/HXYAFJPktp

— Claire Carver-Dias (@ClaireCarverD) March 27, 2018

Carver-Dias: “The Commonwealth Games values are humanity, equality and destiny… Athletes are proud to be a part of a sport movement that lives its values!”

It is also the largest para-sports program in the games’ history, with 73 per cent more medals than were handed out at the 2014 games, and 45 per cent more athletes participating.

Two other milestones to take note of this year: para athletes will compete in triathlon for the first time in 2018, as well as the games’ first-ever wheelchair marathon (T54), making wheelchair racing more accessible than ever to the host community.

Clarenceville, Quebec’s Alexandre Dupont is one of Canada’s most accomplished para-athletes and will compete in both the men’s 1500m T54 and men’s marathon T54 at the Gold Coast games.