Amy Burck, Jeremy Hall, Tyler McGregorand Abi Tripp begin a four-year term
OTTAWA (ON), January 17, 2023 /CNW/ – Four Paralympians have been elected by their fellow athletes to the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced today.
Amy Burck (goal ball), Jeremy Hall (para-rowing), Tyler McGregor (para ice hockey), and Abi Tripp (Para-swimming) will serve on the board for the next four years.
They join Ina Forest (wheelchair curling), vice-president Erica Hammer (wheelchair basketball) and Mike Whitehead (armchair rugby), elected at the end of 2020. The outgoing members of the board are Rob Armstrong (para ice hockey), Jennifer Brown (para-athletics), Alison Levin (boccia) and chair Tony Walby (Para-judo).
The council will soon elect a new president, who will also sit on the CPC board of directors.
Burk, a four-time Paralympian and longtime leader in her sport, recently competed in Portugal last month, where Canada finished fourth at the 2022 Goalball World Championships.
“I am extremely pleased to be elected to the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council,” said Burk, a native of CharlottetownPEI, but now living in Ottawa. “I look forward to learning more about the council and what I can do to help ensure that athletes have a voice in our sport system and continue to promote the Paralympic movement here in Canada. Thank you all my fellow athletes who took the time to vote.”
Para rower Hall made his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, competing in the mixed pairs event with a teammate Jessye Brockway. From St. Paul, Alta.he is also a two-time silver medalist at the world championships in single sculls.
“At a time when Canadian sport is at a crossroads, I am thrilled to join the Athletes Council to advocate on behalf of the para-athlete community,” said Hall. “Many national sport organizations are transitioning to safer and more inclusive environments, which provides an opportunity to advance the discussion around the Paralympic movement. With my experience competing and working in the sport of high level, I can be a strong voice for parasport by Canada and support the most important interests of our athletes.”
From Forest, Ont.McGregor is a three-time Paralympian, winning silver at the last two Games in beijing and PyeongChang as well as bronze at Sochi 2014.
“I am honored and thrilled to be elected to the Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council and to be an advocate and a strong voice for Paralympians in Canada“, said McGregor, captain of from Canada Para Ice Hockey team since 2019. “I hope to provide valuable insights while working to achieve the goals, tasks and actions outlined by the CPC and ensuring the rights of athletes are well represented.”
Tripp, of Kingston, Ont.competed at the 2020 and 2016 Paralympic Games and won a bronze medal at the 2019 Para Swimming World Championships.
“It’s exciting to be elected by my Paralympic teammates to the Athletes’ Council!” Tripp said. “I am proud to represent the sport of swimming and the voice of athletes as a whole. The Paralympic movement is something close to my heart. I will strive to promote the improvement of the Paralympic experience for current athletes and those looking to take that step on the Canadian Paralympic Team in the years to come.”
The Canadian Paralympic Athletes Council is an elected group of current and retired Paralympic athletes who represent the best interests of from Canada Paralympians and the Paralympic Movement Canada.
“We look forward to working alongside the new Athletes Council as we continue to develop and evolve Paralympic sport in Canada,” said Karen O’Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional work of the outgoing board members – thanks to Tony Walby for his tremendous efforts and dedication as President over the past four years, and for Rob Armstrong, Jennifer Brownand Alison Levin for their valuable contributions.”
For more information, please visit Paralympic.ca/Athletes-Council.
About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: paralympic.ca
SOURCE Canadian Paralympic Committee (Sponsors)
For further information: Media Contact: Nicole Watts, Manager, Public Relations, Canadian Paralympic Committee, [email protected] / 613-462-2700
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