With the Paralympic Games set to start less than a month from now in Paris, one Sherwood Park Paralympian is set to make her debut on the world stage.
“Growing up I was never an athlete, and then I lost my arm in an ATV accident in 2015, and I turned to running as my outlet, and I just fell in love with the sport of track and field,” said Amanda Rummery, representing Canada at Paralympic Games in Paris.
Rummery is in the final stage of training, but the Sherwood Park athlete says she’s only been involved with track and field for seven years, and while she came close to going in 2020 — Rummery will be representing Canada for the first time next month in the 400m dash.
She says that going to Paris is a big honour, she already knew she’d be there.
“I ran a really good personal best time. I broke the Canadian record in early May. That ranked me second in the world in the 400, so I knew pretty early on the in the outdoor season that I was going to make Paris. So it actually allowed me through May, June, July just to focus on training.”
Rummery hopes her story will inspire others to take risks and try something new, no matter their age.
I was 20-years-old when I stumbled across track and field — which in the grand scheme of things — really is quite old to try a new sport. But, I believe I’m a an example that you’re never too old to try new things.
The Paralympic Games start August 28th in Paris.