This N.L. Paralympian is heading to her 5th games. The excitement and nerves are still the same
Katarina Roxon, Paralympian and two-time medalist, says she is excited to participate in the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, especially because her family and friends will be joining her on the trip. (Arlette Lazarenko/CBC)
As the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games wrap up, the Paralympics are about to begin.
For two-time Paralympic medalist Katarina Roxon, it's a familiar routine.
The event in Paris will mark her fifth time competing in the Paralympics — giving her the record for most Paralympic Games appearances by a Canadian female athlete.
Roxon told CBC News on Sunday the nerves before a competition will probably never go away. However, those nerves are mixed with excitement.
"It's always super exciting to represent your family, your town, your province, your country on whatever stage it is," she said.
Roxon debuted when she was just 15 years old, when she went to Beijing with Team Canada for the 2008 Games. She placed 12th in the 100-metre breaststroke but only improved from there.
In 2012, Roxon placed fifth and in Rio in 2016 the swimmer brought home gold after winning the 100-metre breaststroke.
The 2020 games were were delayed until 2021 with COVID-19 in full swing. That event was far different than previous years, with no spectators in the venues to cheer on athletes.
Roxon placed fourth and won bronze in the team event.
Competing at such level is just as much a physical as it is a mental game, she said.
Roxon is racing towards her record fifth Paralympic Games. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
"Talking to my family, talking to my pastor, all that stuff, it's really good. It's really helps ground me and keep me focused on what I need to do." Roxon said.
The Paralympic Games start on Aug. 28 and wind down on Sept. 8.
Roxon is scheduled to compete in the 100-meter breaststroke on Aug. 30 and then compete again on Sept. 5 in the 200-meter swimming competition.
In previous games, especially those where she won medals, she was only with her team. But this time, she said she's excited because her family, partner and friends will be there with her, showering her with support.
Originally from the small town of Kippens, Roxon said she knew only one other person who looked like her — she was born without her left elbow.
It was through the Paralympics that she learned about athletes with various disabilities achieving incredible feats.
"We put ourselves out there, we push our bodies day in and day out, trying to be the absolute best that we can be and just wanting to make our families and our communities so, so proud," she said.
She said the games matter as they show accessibility matters.
"So many more people know what the Paralympics are. It truly warms my heart," she said. "We're going in the right direction. And honestly, it's just going to get better from here."
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