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OTTAWA - (2026-04-30) – Five Canadian Paralympic Program swimmers will make their Commonwealth Games debut when they dive into the water at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 – August 2.

Commonwealth Sport Canada teamed up with Swimming Canada to name five additional Para swimmers (three women, two men), who bring a mix of international experience along with youthful energy and drive, to the start block for Team Canada.

Tianna Asala (Calgary, AB), Danielle Dorris (Moncton, NB) and Emma Van Dyk (Port Colborne, ON) booked their tickets for the women’s Para swimming competitions, while Hunter Helberg (Fort McMurray, AB) and Sebastian Massabie (Surrey, BC) will bring additional fire power while repping the maple leaf in the men’s field.

“Each new athlete named to Team Canada strengthens an already impressive Para swimming program, bringing a powerful mix of experience, resilience, and competitive drive,” said Kelly Laframboise, Director, Team Canada 2026. “Alongside a dedicated group of staff who help create the conditions for success, these swimmers embody what it means to represent Canada - supporting one another, pushing boundaries, and competing with pride on the world stage. We’re excited to see what they will achieve in Glasgow as part of a team that is truly Mighty, Together.”

The five additions bring the Paralympic Program contingent to 12 (seven men, five women) contributing to a total Canadian swimming team size of 24 for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The team boasts a wealth of medal-winning international experience at multi-sport Games and World Championships.

“This is an inspired group of athletes and staff who reflect the depth of the Canadian Para swimming program and will be exciting to see them race on the international stage,” said Jocelyn Jay, Associate Director, High Performance, Paralympic Program. “This is a group of athletes rich with multi-sport Games experience who are driven to support each other in a healthy environment while pushing each other to achieve their individual and team goals at the Commonwealth Games.”

Tianna Asala is a former national level swimmer in the Olympic Program who enjoyed success on the university circuit with the University of Calgary Dinos. She switched to Para athletics after experiencing a stroke where she competed for Canada at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023 but is back in the pool for her first multi-sport Games in Para swimming.

“I'm super excited to be representing Canada! I've been in the process of recovering from my stroke for many years now, so it feels like an acknowledgement of my resilience to make the team,” said Asala. “I hope that resilience is something that many Canadians can resonate with. At our core, we're a tough group of people to get through every northern winter that we do with smiles on our faces. There's nothing I would rather represent than that on the world stage.”

Two athletes deep with Paralympic experience, Danielle Dorris and Emma Van Dyk, will also swim at the Commonwealth Games for the first time with Asala.

Danielle Dorris also understands resilience. A three-time Paralympian, Dorris made history at the Rio 2016 Paralympics as the youngest Canadian swimmer ever to compete in the Games at just 13 years old. An advocate for children with disabilities, Dorris’ breakthrough came at the Tokyo 2020 Games where she won gold in the women’s 50m butterfly S7, setting a world record time of 32.99 seconds, and silver in the 100m backstroke S7. Dorris has continued to shine at the international level ever since and will be looking to add to her medal-winning resume in Scotland.

Dorris’ 2024 Paralympic teammate, Emma Van Dyk is also hungry to add to her growing resume at multi-sport Games. Van Dyk has also competed at two Parapan Am Games where she swam to a bronze medal at Santiago 2023.

Paralympic champion, Sebastian Massabie, adds some additional experience to the men’s team. Massabie, who broke six Canadian records and one world record at the 2024 Paralympic Swimming Trials before taking top spot on the podium in the 50-m freestyle S4 in Paris 2024, now competes in the S5 classification where he will look to achieve his performance goals at the Commonwealth Games.

Hunter Helberg rounds out the contingent of Canadian Para swimmers. Helberg will look to bring his Parapan American Games experience from Santiago 2023 where he was consistent across all race disciplines to his first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Sport Canada also welcomed the addition of Erin Alizadeh, who will take on Team Manager responsibilities for Canada’s Para swimming program, while Ryan Allen and Jy Lawrence will join the coaching staff.

The Canadian Paralympic Program swimmers will join the rest of the swim team in Glasgow where they will race at the Games, July 24-29. The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event that features equal standing for sport and Para-sport events.

Glasgow 2026 will include 10 sports, including six Para sports. Up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth will compete at the

2026 Commonwealth Games over 11 days of competition across the city of Glasgow. 

The following is a complete list of Canada’s swimmers for both the Paralympic and Olympic Programs named to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

SWIMMERS POOL - NAGEURS - *Denotes Paralympic Program Athlete

*Denotes Paralympic Program Athlete

TEAM STAFF - PERSONNEL

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH TEAM CANADA 2026

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 153 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

ABOUT SWIMMING CANADA

Swimming Canada serves as the national governing body of competitive swimming. We inspire Canadians through world leading performances to embrace a lifestyle of swimming, sport, fitness and health. Canada is a global leader in high performance swimming and development for both Olympic Program and Paralympic Program swimmers. Swimming is recognized as one of the most celebrated and successful Canadian Olympic and Paralympic sports. 

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA

Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic and Paralympic Games and world championships and enriches the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and hosts the Commonwealth Games. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca. 

For more information, please contact:

Patrick Kenny 
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2026
Email: [email protected]
613 724 7160

Chris Dornan
Communications Advisor – Swimming Canada
Email: [email protected]
403-620-8731