Through Monday, more than 4,000 athletes with a handicap from around the world will take part in the 28th edition of the AlterGo Défi sportif, bringing together athletes from more than 20 countries competing in 13 different athletic competitions.
The event was launched April 20 with the unveiling of the competition calendar at the Claude Robillard Centre. Spokespeople Chantal Petitclerc at Jean-Marie Lapointe were pleased to thank their numerous partners -- including The Chronicle's parent company Transcontinental Media, which was a major media sponsor of the event.—and its dedicated volunteers.
"It's the involvement and enthusiasm of our 900 volunteers that we would like to point out, because without them, the event wouldn't be even comparable (to what it has become)," Lapointe said.
The highlight of the event was the World Cup of wheelchair fencing finals, which will be held Monday at Michel Normandin Arena. In all, 92 wheelchair athletes took up a sword in one of the three fencing categories.
Chatal Petitclerc, who was named Canada's athlete of the year in 2004, also recorded a first of her own, participating in her first-ever 40-km hand-bicycle race
"It's a challenge to go such a long distance in competition, but the younger athletes were also doing some pretty amazing things out there. They have more potential than limits," she said.
The ultimate goal of the Défi sportif AlterGo is to promote and raise awareness of people with a handicap and the challenges they face.
The public is invited to all competitions free of charge and is even invited to try out eight of the 13 disciplines at the different competition sites around Montreal.
Two local athletes will be involved: Pointe Claire resident and sledge hockey player Samuel Tilden and Pierrefonds resident and wheelchair racer, basketball player and sledge-hockey competitor Sarah White will both compete.
For complete schedules and notes, visit: www.defisportif.com
