COVID-19: Boccia Canada Statement
Boccia Canada Supports the Decision to Postpone the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Amid Health Concerns from COVID-19
Ottawa, ON (March 25, 2020) – Boccia Canada commends and fully supports the decision of the Canadian Paralympic Committee to not send a team to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics this summer. Demonstrating global leadership, Canada was the first nation to announce that they will not attend the Games due to the threat of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of athletes and all those involved in the Games.
In addition, Boccia Canada would like to thank the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for their decision to postpone the Games.
“Although disappointed, our athletes are fine with the decision and everyone realizes that health should prevail,” stated Mario Delisle, National Team Head Coach. “Our athletes were also concerned with how to prepare considering they don’t have access to training facilities and coaches given the current COVID-19 pandemic.”
Alison Levine, currently ranked as the number one BC4 player in the world and a Tokyo medal threat, was prepared to compete in both the individual and pairs portion of the Paralympics. Despite the recent news, she remained calm and collected, knowing that the right decision was made.
“It’s impossible to go ahead with the Games when so many lives are currently being lost and considering the dangers that would lie in attending the Games. But the Games have not been cancelled. Life has not been cancelled. Eventually life will return to normal. There will be other competitions, other chances to make our country proud. I am a Paralympian and I therefore know how to be resilient. I know my life is bigger than sport.”
The health and safety of the athletes, coaches, and staff is the number one priority. Consult Boccia Canada’s Facebook for ongoing updates regarding all information concerning COVID-19.
About Boccia Canada
Boccia Canada is the boccia delivery arm of the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA), the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of boccia. Boccia Canada is focused on providing athletes and individuals of all ages and skill with the chance to play a unique Paralympic sport. CCPSA collaborates with partners to increase the participation of Canadians with cerebral palsy and related disabilities in sport and physical activity, while leading, developing and growing boccia from grassroots, to producing World and Paralympic Champions.
About boccia
Boccia is a Paralympic sport of precision and strategy similar to lawn bowling or curling, played by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and related disabilities. It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart. Athletes compete in one of six sport classes based on their level and type of disability: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, and Open. For more information on boccia, visit www.bocciacanada.ca.
Media Contact | Personne-ressource pour les medias:
Holly Janna
Email | Courriel: HJanna@bocciacanada.ca
Phone Number | Numéro de téléphone: (514) 944-5193