Paralympians advance to finals in swimming, athletics

Team Canada’s five Paralympic athletes competing today at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games all advanced to finals this morning from their heats in swimming and athletics.

Diane Roy (Sherbrooke, Que.), Josh Cassidy (Ottawa, Ont.) and Alex Dupont (Bradwell, Sask.) advanced in the T54 1500m wheelchair race, while Aurélie Rivard (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) and Katarina Roxon (Kippens, N.L.) advanced in the SM10 200m Individual Medley, both setting new personal best times.

“I’m really happy about that, I went a best time, which I was not expecting this morning,” said Rivard. “It gives me confidence for tonight. So I’m really excited.”

Rivard finished second and Roxon fifth in their heat. The final is tonight at 20:03 local time.

Wheelchair racers Josh Cassidy and Alex Dupont both finished second in their heats, while Diane Roy won her heat.

“It was mostly just about staying safe and qualifying and making it on,” said Cassidy. “There’s a lot of other guys who we don’t see very often, so it’s just stay in the front, keep it calm and cool and make sure I get in top three and avoid any potential crashes.”

Their 1500m wheelchair finals are Thursday July 31. Roy will race the women’s final at 19:20. Cassidy and Dupont will race the men’s final at 19:35.