New Brunswickers ready for Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

July 26, 2024

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris begin today, followed by the Paralympics starting on Aug. 28. Seven athletes and five coaches from New Brunswick have been officially selected to represent Team Canada.

In addition, three New Brunswickers have been chosen to officiate, while another three will attend as support staff.

“On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I want to wish the province’s athletes, their coaches and support staff the very best at the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “The world will be watching these accomplished athletes from our province competing among the best in the world. While we wish we could be with you in person, please know that everyone here at home is so proud of you. We will be cheering you on as we watch you go for gold.”

“New Brunswickers are very proud of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches that have been selected for Paris,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace. “They inspire us with their passion, their commitment and their determination. It is amazing to see such outstanding talent from our province, and we want to wish them the best of luck at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Athletes participating in the Olympics are Brooklyn Douthwright of Riverview, competing in swimming (4 x 100-metre relay); Jill Irving of Moncton, competing in equestrian dressage; and Craig Thorne of Quispamsis, competing in athletics (110-metre hurdles).

Chris Belof of Fredericton will be an event coach in athletics (marathon and race walk), Mike Butler of Saint John will be head coach for badminton, and Catharine Pendrel of Harvey will be team coach for cycling.

Officials at the Games include Marcia Chiasson of Moncton, in wrestling; Éric Desroches of Edmundston, in badminton; and Adrien Lévesque of Moncton, in cycling.

Attending in team support roles will be Fredericton’s Marie-Claire Holland, physiotherapist with women’s soccer; John Philpott of Miramichi, team physician with men’s basketball; and Nathan White of Fredericton, who is the media attaché for swimming.

As of today, four athletes and two coaches from New Brunswick have been officially named to represent Canada at the Paralympics, which take place Aug. 28 to Sept. 8. Danielle Dorris of Moncton will compete in multiple para swimming events; Colin Higgins of Rothesay has been named to the men’s wheelchair basketball team; Desiree Isaac-Pictou of Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar) First Nation will take the court in women’s wheelchair basketball; and Kamylle Frenette of Dieppe will compete in triathlon.

Ryan Allen of Moncton will be a coach for swimming and Colby Hathaway of Grand Falls (Four Falls district) will serve as a strength and conditioning coach for wheelchair basketball. The final announcement of the Canadian Paralympic team is scheduled for Aug. 12.

Through a partnership between the provincial government and the Canadian Olympic Committee, two New Brunswick singer-songwriters – Émilie Landry of Campbellton and David Myles of Fredericton – were selected to perform at Canada Olympic House, where family, friends and fans will cheer on the athletes as they compete.

“The presence of these two cultural ambassadors aligns with the New Brunswick-France Development Strategy’s goal of promoting New Brunswick artists in France,” said Scott-Wallace. “We are very proud to have such amazing representation in all aspects of the Games.”

26-07-24
Media Contact(s)

Heather Pert, communications, Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, heather.pert@gnb.ca.

NT5