Eight Para cyclists and three pilots to race for Canada at Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games

- Six Para athletes will be making their major Games debut
- Lima 2019 will take place August 23 to September 1

OTTAWA, July 25, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and Cycling Canada are thrilled to announce the eight Para cyclists and three pilots who will be competing for Canada at the Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games from August 23 to September 1.

Marie-Claude Molnar will lead the Canadian team of eight Para cyclists and three pilots at the Lima 2019 Parapan Am Games. PHOTO: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CNW Group/Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships))

Marie-Claude Molnar will be leading the team, having competed at the Rio 2016 and London 2012 Paralympic Games, as well as the Toronto 2015 and Guadalajara 2011 Parapan Am Games. Molnar captured a bronze medal in the Time Trial at the London 2012 Games and a bronze in the Individual Pursuit at Guadalajara 2011 in her women's C4 category, as well as numerous Canadian titles along the way.

"I am thrilled and feel honoured to have been selected to represent Canada at the 2019 Parapan American Games," said Molnar. "I cannot wait to perform at my best and contribute to the team."

Joining her on the track on August 26-27 will be Canadian ITT champions Lowell Taylor and pilot Andrew Davidson, who will be competing in the men's Tandem category. The women's Tandem races will see two NextGen teams competing, including Canadian road champions Carla Shibley and pilot Meghan Lemiski, as well as Annie Bouchard and her pilot Evelyne Gagnon.

Racing will resume on August 30 and September 1 with the road events, with all the athletes taking part in both the ITT and Road Race. Paralympian Rico Morneau (H3) will be competing under Canadian colours, having previously won a bronze medal at the Guadalajara 2011 Parapan Am Games, and will be joined by the track athletes, as well as Michael Shetler (T2), Matthew Kinnie (H2) and Patrick Desnoyers (H5).

"The Parapan Am Games will be a fantastic opportunity for both the athletes and staff to gain some major Games experience," said Phil Abbott, Cycling Canada's Para cycling NextGen Coach. "The majority of the athletes have never attended an event of this scale, so this will certainly help them prepare for Tokyo 2020."

"A huge congratulations to our Canadian Para cyclists heading to Lima!" said Stephanie Dixon, chef de mission of the Lima 2019 Canadian Parapan Am Team. "I'm so excited to welcome each of them to the team, especially the group that will be donning the red-and-white at a Games for the first time. I hope you all have an amazing experience and the entirety of Team Canada is behind you!"

LIMA 2019 PARAPAN AM GAMES PARA CYCLING TEAM
NAME	HOMETOWN	AGE	CLASS
Marie-Claude Molnar*	Longueil, QC	35	C4
Annie Bouchard	Baie-St-Paul, QC	44	WB
Evelyne Gagnon	Quebec City, QC	28	Pilot
Carla Shibley	Calgary, AB	28	WB
Meghan Lemiski	Edmonton, AB	38	Pilot
Lowell Taylor	Lethbridge, AB	37	MB
Andrew Davidson	Calgary, AB	35	Pilot
Matthew Kinnie	Riverview, NB	36	H2
Michael Shetler	Kirkland, QC	58	T2
Rico Morneau*	St-Liguori, QC	56	H3
Patrick Desnoyers	Blainville, QC	46	H5
*Paralympian

The Lima 2019 Parapan American Games will take place August 23 to September 1 in Peru and will surpass Toronto 2015 as the largest Parapan Am Games ever with a record 1,850 athletes set to participate. Canada is expecting to send a team of approximately 152 athletes and competition partners in 13 sports. The Canadian Paralympic Committee will announce the official full team heading to the Games later this month. 

About Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca

About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. With the vision of becoming a leading competitive cycling nation, Cycling Canada manages the High Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country.

SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsorships)

For further information: Nicole Watts, Lima 2019 Media Attaché, Para Cycling, Manager, Public Relations, Canadian Paralympic Committee, [e-mail] or 613-569-4333 x262; Karine Bédard, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Canada, [e-mail] or 438-884-8771

Related Links

http://paralympic.ca/