New equipment

When Nicholls took over Canada’s para team in 2018, it became clear to her that the wheelchair racers in particular lagged behind those from other countries when it came to technology, and she was determined to bridge that gap before the 2020 Paralympics. With the help of Own the Podium, the Canadian Paralympic Program, the Canadian Paralympic Foundation and B2Ten, she found the money to do that, and she’s excited about what the team will do at the rescheduled Paralympics this summer.

Since 2018, Canada’s wheelchair racers have been fitted for new, customized chairs. Some, like Smeenk, worked with manufacturers to get the fit just right. Others used 3d technology scanning to ensure chair “buckets” fit them perfectly. And companies like Quebec’s Revolution Sports are now 3d-printing hard custom racing

Andrea Hill is a marathon runner and acting managing editor of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix