Three athletes will represent the small Caribbean Nation at the Parapan American Games which open on Friday August 7th.
Wheelchair racer Jessica Lewis and Boccia players Steve Wilson and Yushae Desilva-Andrade have arrived in Toronto and, standing at three strong, make up Bermuda’s biggest ever delegation for a Parapan American Games.
Around 1,600 athletes from 28 countries are in Toronto for the Games which open this Friday (7 August) including Bermuda who, back in 2011, were represented in Guadalajara, Mexico, solely by Lewis.
With the addition of Wilson and Desilva-Andrade for 2015, the Caribbean country has effectively tripled in size and is now seeking its first Parapan American medal.
Lewis, the first Bermudian sprinter to have competed at the Paralympics, will start competition on Wednesday (12 August) at the CIBC Pan/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium and will compete in the 100m, 400m and 800m T53 events.
Wilson (BC4) and Yushae Desilva-Andrade (BC2) will start competing in their respective events on Sunday (9 August) at the Abilities Centre.
“I am very excited. As I do not compete until Wednesday thus I am looking forward to watching the others compete,” Lewis said. “It is very important to be here and compete for Bermuda. Para-sport is not as big as in other countries, but it is growing very much”, she added.
Toronto 2015 is not Lewis’ first major event. She competed at the 2011 Parapans and at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
“Having those awesome experiences helps in order to keep calm while competing in front of a bigger crowd,” said Lewis, who has competed in a number of IPC Athletics Grand Prix events this year.
“Four years ago, when I competed in Guadalajara, I was the only Bermudian athlete. In Toronto, there are two others. It is great for Bermuda to see that para-sport is alive and it is important to bring awareness of it.”
She describes representing Bermuda as “an absolute privilege” and hopes “more athletes will join me at the Rio Paralympics,” an event she has already qualified for.
Desilva-Andrade is living a lifetime dream in Toronto 2015, her first Parapan American Games.
“It is amazing to be here. I want to represent my country the best I can and make them proud,” she said.
Even though she started competing just three years ago, she has improved really fast and is already planning even further. “Hopefully, I will make it to Rio next year.”
Boccia is not Desilva-Andrade’s only activity, she is also a computer graphic artist and recently designed Boccia Bermuda’s corporate identity.
“I design logos and brochures. It was hard to train and study at first, but I managed to do it in the end.”
Wilson is the third member of the Bermudian delegation. He is 67 years old and still keeps himself motivated to continue improving and competing.
“People cannot believe I am here and they tell me I am role model,” he assured.
“It feels so great to be here. Three years ago, I said ‘I want to get to the Parapan Am’. And here I am, fulfilling my dream.
Troy Farnsworth is the Boccia Team Coach and a Paralympic driver in his country. “We want to educate the next generation and get the younger people involved in Paralympic sports. Spread the word. There are a lot of potential and talented people in Bermuda. It is up to us. Hopefully we can grow in other sports”, he said.
“Funding could be an obstacle but if you have people motivated, volunteers and the family’s support, anything can happen. To watch all these athletes competing is very inspirational and makes people get more interested in Paralympic sports.”
Bermuda’s Chef de Mission is Jessica Lewis’ mother, Lorri Lewis.
“It is a matter of awareness because unfortunately Bermuda is quite far behind with accessibility. But these athletes do amazing things and are so inspirational that we are confident we will achieve our goals.”
|
