The 2016 Paralympic Games have officially begun! There is an impressive number of Saskatchewan athletes who are representing Canada on the international stage, and we couldn't be more proud of our Team Sask alumni!

Nik Goncin competed in Wheelchair Basketball at the 2011 and 2015 Canada Winter Games, and is competing in the same in Rio.

Erica Gavel was a softball athlete at the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games, and will be competing in Wheelchair Basketball in the Paralympics.

Logan Campbell competed in Freestyle Skiing in the 2003 Canada Winter Games, Sailing in the 2005 Canad Summer Games, and was the sailing tech for Team Sask at the 2013 Canada Summer Games. He will be competing in Sailing as well in Rio.

Samantha Ryan competed in Swimming at the 2013 Canada Summer Games, and will do the same for Team Canada in Rio. 

We also cannot forget our coaches. While we will be cheering loud and proud for our athletes, we will also be cheering for the coaches who have lead our alumni as well as many other Canadian athletes to where they are today.

Rick Reelie coached athletics for Team Sask at the 2001 Canada Summer Games as well as the 2003 and 2011 Western Canada Summer Games. He is an athletics coach for Team Canada for the Paralympic Games as well.

Katie Miyazaki was the Wheelchair Basketball coach at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and is the assitant coach for Wheelchair Basketball in Rio.

In addition, a fellow Mission Staff alumni, Marj Walton, is the team manager for Swimming at the Paralympics, and fellow Mission Staff, Louise Ashcroft, is an official for Sit Volleyball.

Congratulations and good luck!

Image credit: Canadian Paralympic Commitee / paralympic.ca