Two Canadians win bronze at Para Athletics World Championships

On Day Three at the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships in Paris, two athletes brought home Canada’s first medals of the Games. Guillaume Ouellet of Sorel-Tracy, Que., won bronze in the men’s T13 5,000m, and Bianca Borgella of Rockland, Ont., followed up Ouellet’s performance with a bronze and Canadian record in the women’s T13 100m final. 

An amazing debut for @biancaborgella 🥉🇨🇦#Paris23 #ParaAthletics #AreYouParaReady pic.twitter.com/3VzLyS4Efr

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) July 10, 2023

Borgella had one of the fastest times in the qualification round for the T13 100m final, with a new Canadian record time of 12.03 seconds in her World Championship debut. Her speed did not stop in the final, running 12.26 to pick up a bronze medal and qualification spot for Canada at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

In the men’s T13 5,000m, Ouellet found himself in the lead group through the early stages and did not let any gaps open up. The 36-year-old stuck on the heels of Australia’s Jaryd Clifford and Spain’s Yassine Ouhdadi, crossing the line in third in 15:22.85. Ouhdadi took the gold in 15:16.97, and Clifford won silver in 15:18.23. Ouellet also secured a qualification spot in the T13 5,000m for the 2024 Paralympics.

GUILLAUME OUELLET WINS BRONZE 🥉

Guillaume placed 3rd in the Men’s T13 5000m with an official time of 15:22.85, securing Canada’s first qualification spot for the 2024 Paralympics 👏

(📹 by kenny.zhong on IG)#Paris23 #ParaAthletics pic.twitter.com/tDuWfdnmr6

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) July 10, 2023

Both Ouellet and Borgella are in the T13 Para classification, which is for track runners with a visual impairment. T13 means they have a restricted field of view, their peripheral vision is limited, and their central vision can be a blur.

Twenty-five Para Canadian athletes are in Paris from July 8 to 17th to compete at The 2023 Para Athletics World Championships.