Athletes from across the Okanagan have been selected to be a part of Team Canada at the 2023 Pan Am Games.
The quadrennial competition for countries in the Americas takes place in Santiago, Chile from Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 5.
The games will be held in 39 venues across the Chilean region, with 39 sports and 423 events scheduled.
Among the many Canadian athletes are four from the Okanagan: Rob Shaw (Quad tennis- Kelowna), Natalie Sourisseau (Field Hockey- Kelowna), Lina Augaitis (Stand Up Paddleboard- Vernon) and Brock Hoel (Triathlon- West Kelowna).
Shaw is an accomplished superstar in quad tennis, having won 22 ITF singles and doubles titles. Back in 2019, the 33-year-old won gold at the Pan Am event in Lima, Peru.
“I have had these Games marked on my calendar for the last two years,” said Shaw. “There is something incredibly special about putting on your country’s colours and representing them on the world stage. I have been fortunate to experience some amazing tournaments this year having competed at all four Grand Slams, but it’s the Parapan American Games in Santiago that I am most excited for. This opportunity only comes around every four years and I’m ready and hungry to make a push for the podium.”
Sourisseau has been a staple on the Canadian women’s field hockey team for more than 12 years, making her national team debut in 2011. The 30-year-old has 140 appearances to her credit and has won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
The field hockey team will be in action on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Augaitis is a four-time International SUP Association Champion. The 42-year-old, originally from Ottawa, now trains in Vernon. She was the first woman ever to complete the 750 kilometre Yukon River Quest Marathon Race as a SUP entrant.
She will be competing in the 14 foot event, which represents the size of the paddleboards used. The surfing events will take place between Tuesday, Oct. 24 to Monday, Oct. 30.
Hoel is originally from Prince George, but moved to Kelowna in 2014. The 22-year-old won four gold medals at the B.C. Summer Games back in 2016. This will be his first Pan Am Games.
More information on the Canadian contingent can be found at olympic.ca/games/santiago-2023.
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