Although the weather in Montreal on Thursday was grey and chilly, the atmosphere at the Défi sportif AlterGo was red hot! More than 1,100 students were on site to compete in the school component events, and their enthusiasm more than made up for the dreary weather.
Athlete ambassador Chloé Pelland Lambert excels in track and field
One of the competitors, athlete ambassador Chloé Pelland Lambert, was taking part in her final Défi sportif AlterGo as a student.
This year, the athlete, who has attended the Défi every year since she entered school, competed in 3 track and field events: the 50m dash, the shot put, and the standing long jump.
Her father, Stéphane Lambert, had mixed emotions as he watched the competitions.
“I always get a little teary-eyed. Not only am I very proud to see my child thrive through these competitions, but we also feel like we’re part of a big family within the Défi sportif AlterGo. Chloé is capable of great things, and we have further proof of that today.”
According to Lambert, Chloé’s involvement in the Défi sportif AlterGo has motivated her to be more active.
“She signed up for yoga classes, and she never wants to miss a single one. She’s adopted some healthy lifestyle habits.”
And how does he feel as he sees his daughter continue to thrive as she transitions into adulthood, thanks in part to the Défi sportif AlterGo?
“It gives me peace of mind and a sense of reassurance. We know how many challenges Chloé has faced, in addition to her visual impairment. Seeing her fulfill her potential, shatter glass ceilings, break down walls, equip herself with the tools she needs, and carve out her own path—that alone fills me with gratitude. We’re so thankful we had the opportunity to experience this.”
The school component of the 43rd Défi sportif AlterGo will conclude on Friday, May 1.
Carl Marquis and Team Québec 1 advance to the final rounds
At the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship, Défi sportif AlterGo athlete ambassador Carl Marquis and Team Quebec 1 remained undefeated after their first match of the day against Marney Smithies’ team from British Columbia, thus securing a spot in the final rounds.
In the afternoon, the Québécois curlers faced Douglas Dean’s Northern Ontario squad. Dean’s team was the only one to defeat Quebec 1 during the 2024 Championship, including in the gold medal match.
This time, Marquis’s team won 9-2, continuing its march toward the podium. Quebec 1 will now take on the only other undefeated team in the tournament—Saskatchewan and its captain Marie Wright—in their second playoff game, Friday at 3:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, Luc Hamel’s Quebec 2 team has a record of 2 wins in 5 games during the round robin. The team will face off against Laughlin Rutt’s Nova Scotia team, Friday at 10 AM.
The Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship continues through Saturday at the Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot in Boucherville.
World Boccia Cup finals tomorrow
Unfortunately, all the Canadians who competed in the individual events at the Montreal 2026 World Boccia Cup were eliminated on Thursday.
In the BC4 division, our athlete ambassador Alison Levine lost her final qualification match to Alexandra Szabo of Hungary. On the men’s side, Iulian Ciobanu and Marco Dispaltro bowed out in their respective quarter-final matches.
Elsewhere in individual competition, Ontario’s Lance Cryderman (BC1), as well as Quebec’s Danik Allard (BC2), Alexandre Lemaire (BC3), and Fatima Abderrahmane (BC3), also saw their runs come to an end.
However, it’s not over yet. The pairs’ competitions will begin on Friday afternoon at the Maurice-Richard Arena. Alison Levine and Iulian Ciobanu (BC4), as well as Alexandre Lemaire and Fatima Abderrahmane (BC3), will be the Canadian duos to watch.
