Not only will 2026 mark the 43rd edition of the Défi Sportif AlterGo, it will also see the inauguration of the very first OneAbility Games, an event inspired by the Défi Sportif AlterGo that will be held in British Columbia from May 13 to 17, 2026.
A few members of the OneAbility organizing committee were in Montréal this week to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Défi Sportif AlterGo and fill up on inspiration.
Among them was Deborah Murin, a physical education teacher and adaptive sports specialist who grew up in Montréal, who was finally fulfilling her dream of experiencing the Défi Sportif AlterGo—a dream she has cherished for many years.
A lifelong passion
Deb Murin has been hearing about the Défi Sportif AlterGo for many years. As a physical education teacher in British Columbia’s largest school district, who is passionate about adaptive sport, Murin has devoted much of her career to helping young people with functional limitations remain active.
“My passion was I don’t like seeing students who are not participating in PE class, so the first thing is I noticed there are students with disabilities not participating in class so I’m like, well you’re going to be in my class and we’ll figure this out.”
And Murin did figure it out. She took a year off work to complete a master’s degree that qualified her as a specialist in adaptive physical education and activity.
When she returned to work, she set up a program and an event that slightly resembled what AlterGo was doing, but on a smaller scale. It was while organizing her own event that Murin first heard about the Défi Sportif AlterGo.
20 years of gratitude
That was 20 years ago. Every year, Murin organizes the AIM Games, which bring together several hundred students with disabilities from her school district. And every year, she has to put her dream of attending the Défi Sportif AlterGo on hold due to her own personal responsibilities and her work as a teacher.
Fortunately, however, Murin has taken on the role of Adaptive Sport Champion in the organizing committee of the inaugural OneAbility Games. This allowed her to finally attend the Défi Sportif AlterGo this year, along with her fellow representatives Andrea Carey, Brad Beattie, and Jina Taylor.
She could not be more thrilled.
“[Adaptive sport] has been a really passionate part of my life and to come here is like seeing my heart explode and grow but it’s also a great big appreciation and gratitude that’s been almost like my full professional life in the making.”
For the teacher, the fact that she feels she has come full circle makes it all the sweeter.
“Coming back to Montreal, I grew up here I’ve participated as a student at Claude-Robillard, you know, I did my soccer here, competed at Claude-Robillard and to be a youth growing up in Montreal and then coming back to see this it’s like a full circle for me.”
About the OneAbility Games
A celebration of sport and social impact, and inspired by the Défi Sportif AlterGo, the OneAbility Games are a multi-sport event for persons of all ages with disabilities, which will take place in Richmond, British Columbia.
The event features two streams: PLAY for school-aged participants, and ACHIEVE for regional, provincial, and national competitions.
