With the school competitions and the Montréal 2024 World Boccia Cup well underway, the 41st annual Défi Sportif AlterGo is in full swing.
Another busy day at the Défi Sportif AlterGo
1,335 students, representing 59 schools from 7 regions of Quebec, were in action on Tuesday. The activity-packed day included events in track and field, baseball, rhythmic gymnastics, ball hockey, and soccer, as well as a functional circuit featuring exercises from various disciplines.
Montréal 2024 World Boccia Cup Kicks Off
On Tuesday, the Maurice-Richard Arena played host to the flagship tournament of the 41st Défi Sportif AlterGo: the Montréal 2024 World Boccia Cup. Between now and Sunday, May 5, 95 athletes from 22 countries will battle it out in individual, team, and pairs events.
One of the performances we’ll be following closely during the tournament is that of Iulian Ciobanu, athletic ambassador for the Défi Sportif AlterGo, who will attempt to defend the titles he won in 2023. His tournament didn’t get off to the expected start, however, as he lost to Hungary’s Gergo Berkes.
A surge of generosity at the Défi Sportif AlterGo
The opening ceremonies of the Défi Sportif AlterGo are always full of surprises and excitement.
In addition to the encouragement of our volunteers, the athletes enjoyed the support of AlterGo’s financial partners and special guests, which included Montréal Alouettes players Tyson Philpot and Kristian Matt, who took the opportunity to bring the Grey Cup with them!
We also welcomed Fernand Courchesne, a highly engaged sports figure and the organizer of the Défi Everest-Orford. From September 19 to 22, 2024, teams of volunteers will enable people with functional limitations to climb Mount Orford using specialized equipment such as the Joëlette and the Trackz Mobilité wheelchair. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Défi Sportif AlterGo. This year, Courchesne hopes to raise $25,000. Visiting the Défi for the first time this year, he was able to see for himself how important his actions are. “To me, the ambiance of the Défi Everest-Orford is magical, and now I see that the same can be said of the Défi Sportif AlterGo. The intense energy here is very similar, and seeing all this makes me very, very happy. It was really fun to high-five the kids as they made their way through [the human archway]. You really got a sense of the feeling of togetherness, and of the bonds that are created. It was wonderful.”
What’s happening on Wednesday?
The aquatic events of the Défi Sportif AlterGo’s school component will be added to a busy program that also includes soccer, baseball, rhythmic gymnastics, and ball hockey. At the Maurice-Richard Arena, the boccia round robin will continue.
