Less than two months remain before the start of the 42nd Défi sportif AlterGo, Canada’s largest multi-sport event. This edition, which will take place from April 25 to May 4th, 2025, will bring together more than 6000 athletes, from up-and-comers to elite-level contenders. These athletes, who have all types of disabilities, will compete in 10 sports.
Competitions will be held in 4 competition sites in the Greater Montreal area: Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Howie-Morenz Arena, Centre sportif Édouard-Montpetit in Longueuil, and Centre des Glaces Gilles-Chabot in Boucherville.
Much more than just 10 days of competition, the Défi sportif AlterGo is a springboard for young people with disabilities to get active and gain self-confidence and for Quebec and Canadian para-athletes to launch their sporting careers, potentially opening the door to the Paralympic Games.
“It is with great pride and anticipation that we officially announce the programming of the 42nd Défi sportif AlterGo. In less than two months, we’ll be welcoming thousands of athletes. We can’t wait to see them in action, to see their talent and potential shine through,” says event director Nathalie Lavergne. “We’ve got a few sports that will be making a big comeback, including wheelchair curling and blind hockey, some incredible athlete ambassadors and a school sports program that’s shaping up to be really exciting, with the return of team sports,” she adds.
“It all starts here” for 5 Athlete Ambassadors
For this 42nd edition, the 5 spokespersons of the Défi sportif AlterGo, Chantal Petitclerc, Jean-Marie Lapointe, Hugo Girard, Nancy Audet and Meeker Guerrier will join forces with 5 Athlete Ambassadors to make the event shine.
These athletes are:
- Jonathan Vermette, triple Paralympian in wheelchair basketball (From Sherbrooke, living in Montreal)
- Caroline Séguin, Canadian powerchair soccer team veteran (From Lorraine, living in Montreal)
- Thomas Raymond, blind hockey player with Les Hiboux de Montréal (Sainte-Julie)
- Félix Gemme, para-hockey player and school sports athlete (St-Amable)
- Océane Richard, school sports athlete (Laval)
They are sure to capture the public’s attention with their inspiring stories and undeniable talent.
“It’s an honour for me to be an Athlete Ambassador of the Défi sportif AlterGo. The Défi sportif AlterGo was one of the first tournament’s I ever took part in and each time it was a memorable moment that helped me grow in my sport. So, if I can give a little back, I’m more than happy to do so” says Jonathan Vermette, after recounting how his first participation in the Défi sportif AlterGo wheelchair basketball tournament when he was around 13 years old, inspired him to go for the Paralympic Games.
Felix Gemme’s mother, Sindy Durand, explains that “the Défi sportif AlterGo encourages Félix to move, it shows him that he can do things, play sports. He doesn’t have to sit around doing nothing. It’s adapted, he can be active and make his dreams come true. Adapted sports, it’s amazing for our children who are different.” Indeed, Félix loves surpassing his limits at the Défi sportif AlterGo and hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Competitions not to be missed!
The 2025 edition of the Défi sportif AlterGo will mark the grand return of the Canadian wheelchair curling Championship in Quebec for the first time since 2019. It will be the 5th edition of this tournament and the 4th to be held at the Défi sportif AlterGo. The event will take place from April 28 th to May 3 rd at Boucherville’s Centre des glaces Gilles-Chabot.
Another sport to make a return this year is blind hockey. The Défi sportif AlterGo will hold a Canada-USA blind hockey series from April 25 to April 27. Blind hockey is an adapted version of hockey allowing athletes with a visual impairment to play thanks to a metal puck that makes noise.
That same weekend, the Chantal Petitclerc Para-Athletics Classic will be held at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
There will be action at the Centre sportif Édouard-Montpetit from May 2nd to May 4th, with both an international powerchair soccer competition and a wheelchair basketball tournament.
Those same dates, junior parahockey teams will compete in a junior tournament pitting Quebec teams against Ontario teams at Howie-Morenz Arena.
This year’s eagerly awaited school sports competitions will feature a total of 8 sports, including basketball and volleyball, which are returning to the schedule after a two-year hiatus due to renovations at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
As always, everyone is invited to attend these competitions for free.
The Loto-Québec sports trial zone
Once again, this year, the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard will host the animation zone and the Loto-Québec sports trial zone. Everyone is invited to discover and try many adapted sports including: boccia, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, curling, para-climbing, para-hockey and adaptative baseball. It will be a perfect opportunity to experiment and push one’s limits in a friendly atmosphere.
The animation zone will feature a variety of activities to entertain and inform visitors of all ages: dancing, face painting, photobooths, cooking workshops, virtual exhibitions, interactive games and more. The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal. The Centre will present an interactive kiosk where the general public can learn more about inclusive environments, Braille, Quebec sign language and inclusive gestures. Finally, all visitors will be able to discover a Jooey application for finding adapted activities.
