Canada with star Patrick Anderson, aims for Wheelchair Basketball success at Paris Paralympics – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Patrick Anderson, a veteran of six Paralympic Games and winner of three gold medals, is nearing the end of his remarkable 27-year wheelchair basketball career. However, in Canada‘s opening match at the Paralympics, he demonstrated his determination to finish on a high note.
In the first round of men’s wheelchair basketball pool play, Anderson led Canada to an 83-68 triumph over France, contributing an impressive 31 points.Despite the hostile atmosphere created by the French fans, who turned out in large numbers at Bercy Arena to support their men’s team making their first Paralympic appearance since 2004, the Canadian team remained focused. The French supporters booed every Canadian point and cheered every missed basket, waving their flags in defiance.
The victory brought Canada one step closer to securing a medal, which has eluded them for the past 12 years. This medal drought coincides with Anderson’s five-year absence from wheelchair basketball, during which he focused on his musical career as part of the singer-songwriter duo The Lay Awakes with his wife Anna Paddock, and played for a club team. Since his return to the national team, Anderson acknowledges that things have changed.
“I sometimes reflect on that first half of my career and talk about it, reminisce about it,” Anderson said. “But at the same time, this has been a whole different story.” as quoted by AP.
Patrick Anderson, a legendary figure in wheelchair basketball, has been a key player in the Canadian team’s success at the Paralympic Games. The team secured gold medals in 2000, 2004, and 2012, along with a silver in 2008. However, they struggled to reach the medal round in both 2016 and 2020. The Tokyo match was particularly unique due to the limited fan attendance caused by the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, a factor that Anderson noted as a significant difference in these Games.
“Looking up to see my friends and family up there, after the Tokyo experience,” Anderson said. “That is going to live in my mind as a great memory tonight, playing against a great team in a great atmosphere.”
In February, Anderson expressed his intention to make Tokyo his final Paralympic appearance in an interview with a Spanish news outlet. However, when the team’s performance fell short of his expectations, he made the decision to lead the team in pursuit of one more medal. Additionally, he recognized the untapped potential in his new teammates.
Even as retirement looms, the man described by many as the Michael Jordan of wheelchair basketball is keeping his eyes on the prize and remaining optimistic about Canada’s chances this year.
“A good start, but it’s eight really good teams and a couple of really great ones,” Anderson said. “It’s only uphill from here for us.”