The 43rd Défi sportif AlterGo is now over and we have so many beautiful memories remaining from this very successfull edition.
We hosted almost 6,500 athletes on 5 competition sites all around the Greater Montreal area. With 15 sports and thanks to the mobilisation of 1,400 volunteers, these 11 days were an overall success for the biggest annual multisport event in Canada.
Read Also : The 43rd Défi sportif AlterGo has come to a close . . . so now what?
Historic athletic achievements
The 43rd edition will be remembered for the exceptional level of competition, including:
Gold for Team Quebec in wheelchair curling
In a thrilling final at the Gilles-Chabot Ice Centre, Team Quebec 1, led by veteran Carl Marquis, defeated Northern Ontario (10–6) to claim gold at the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. This marks Quebec’s first national title since 2013 and a moving final competition for athlete François Lacourse.
Women’s wheelchair rugby makes history
Défi sportif AlterGo made history by hosting the very first Women’s Wheelchair Rugby National Championship, won by the Western Lights. The tournament confirmed the viability of a women’s division and serves as a springboard toward the first international championship in Paris in December 2026. According to ambassador Mélanie Labelle, this milestone brings the sport closer to inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
“Seeing 21 women on the court when there were only eight of us three years ago is incredibly moving, in the best way. Défi sportif AlterGo welcomed us when we needed it most to build this women’s division. This is where it all begins,” said Mélanie Labelle, athlete ambassador.
Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup
The Maurice-Richard Arena hosted intense competition among 100 athletes from 21 countries. The Canadian BC4 duo (Alison Levine and Iulian Ciobanu) stood out for their resilience against the world’s elite.
Return of ASSQ sports
The Claude-Robillard Sports Complex marked the dynamic return of softball and pickleball, bringing together more than 30 deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes.
The school componant: innovation through play
At the heart of the 43rd edition, the school component once again proved to be one of the event’s strongest pillars, bringing together 5,900 young participants at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, as well as at satellite sites including Jarry Park and the Maurice-Richard Arena.
More than just an introduction to sport, this componant often represents a first encounter with adapted sport for many students. It is a pivotal moment where perceptions shift: young people are no longer defined by their limitations, but by their abilities, potential, and determination.
In total, more than 100 schools from eight different regions took part. The 11 sports featured, including the addition of a new recreational athletics component, highlight the diversity and accessibility of the programming, ensuring every participant can find their place and have a meaningful experience.
“Taking part in the Défi every year since elementary school has taught me that there are no limits to what I can achieve. As I finish my school journey here, I realize that sport has given me the tools to move forward and break my own glass ceilings. This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of a new chapter where I’ll keep moving with the same passion,” said Chloé Pelland Lambert, Athele Ambassador of the 43rd Défi sportif AlterGo.
Thank you to everyone who help make all of this possible!
“Défi sportif AlterGo is the result of an extraordinary collective effort. To the athletes who inspired us with their courage, to the volunteers who gave so generously of their time, and to our partners who believe in our mission: thank you. Montreal became the parasport capital of the world for 11 days because of our amazing team. We leave with immense pride and look forward to seeing you again next year,” concluded Émilie Bouchard Labonté, Deputy Executive Director of AlterGo.
The 44th edition of the Défi sportif AlterGo will take place from April 23rd to May 2nd 2027.
