The week got off to an exceptional start, as hundreds of young athletes with functional limitations were greeted by the volunteers lined-up to cheer for them. Competing in no less than seven different sports, the School Program is officially underway at the 42nd Défi sportif AlterGo. Also Monday, the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship got underway at the Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot.
Over 800 athletes take over the Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard
Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard was electric today, as scores of young athletes arrived to kick off the first day of the School Program. Over 800 young athletes from 45 schools and 9 regions across were greeted by the lined-up cheering volunteers, launching the day’s competitions in 7 disciplines.
Isabelle Charest, the Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and Outdoors, was there to say a few words to participants.
“I have the impression that everyone here at the Défi sportif AlterGo brought back the sun. The weather this weekend wasn’t great, but today it’s beautiful and sunny – outside and also in our hearts. I’m very happy to be here. I want to say a huge thank you to all the school staff, all the attendants, and parents here in the stands, the organizers – everyone who makes the Défi possible. To the athletes competing, I wish you a wonderful Défi sportif AlterGo, enjoy it, energize your spirits, encourage your friends. We’re very proud of you.”
This year, school competitions feature the return of team sports: basketball and volleyball. This year also saw the launch of a totally new indoor para-rowing competition. For the duration of school competitions, schools will compete against each other to row as much as possible.
For Nadine Boutin, Aviron Québec (rowing) General Manager, the Défi sportif AlterGo is a golden opportunity to promote the sport.
“Para-rowing deserves to be known because, whatever the limitation, whether you’re alone, whether you’re in a team…you can grow. You can row indoors, and then get out on the water later. There are so many possibilities, it’s important to raise awareness about our great sport!”
Canada’s Wheelchair curling elite return to Boucherville
In Boucherville, the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship officially returned to Québec as 12 teams took to the ice for competitions at the Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot. This is the first time this major tournament has been held at the Défi sportif AlterGo since 2019.
Led by Gilbert Dash, last year’s Champion team from Saskatchewan, got off to a strong start, winning their first match against Michael Fitzgerald’s Team New Brunswick.
Also on the ice today, Carl Marquis’s team from Québec won their first match against Rick Robinson’s team from British Columbia.
1,200 young athletes expected
School competitions will continue tomorrow, Tuesday, the fifth day of the 42e Défi sportif AlterGo. Some 1,200 athletes from 58 schools and 7 regions across Québec will get their chance to demonstrate their athletic best. On the ice at the Boucherville Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot, Wheelchair Curling teams will pursue qualifying round action.
