'We have one goal ... to win gold': Paralympians from Waterloo region aim for the podium in Milano Cortina
CBC
Two local Paralympians are hoping for gold while they compete in Milano Cortina for the Winter Paralympics.
Rob Armstrong, a two-time silver medalist from Erin is heading into his third Paralympics. He's determined to get on the highest level of the podium for Canada in Para ice hockey.
“We have one goal in mind and that's to win gold,” said Armstrong.
Madison Mullin is a local blind Paralympian from Fergus, competing in Para nordic skiing, along with her guide, Brooke Ailey. As a first-time Paralympian, she’s more focused on the experience than results.
“One of my goals is just to make sure I'm living in the moment, because I really want to take in everything that's happening and learn from all the other athletes on our team and off our team from other countries,” said Mullin.
She said she wants to move up a couple of spots, after making the top 10 at the World Cup, and beat her personal best.
“I'm excited to race against all the other athletes and then work together with Brooke and see how it is in the first Games and what we can do to change for the next ones over the next four years,” said Mullin.
Despite having previous experience, Armstrong says each Paralympics is a different journey.
Playing at ages 21, 25 and now 29, Armstrong says he feels a different excitement toward this year's Paralympics. But one thing that remains the same is the rivalry with the U.S. team.
“Obviously the U.S. has been performing quite well in ice hockey. So we know that's our biggest competitor this time around.”
The past two Paralympics, the U.S. team won both gold-medal games against Canada. The heartbreak for Canadians continued this past Olympics, when both the men’s and women’s hockey teams lost to the U.S in the gold-medal games.
Armstrong says this doesn’t change anything for the Para ice hockey team.
“We didn't come in thinking, ‘OK, now we have to win.’ The plan was always to try and win a gold medal. So that doesn't change,” Armstrong said, adding the pressure is on the U.S., since they have the opportunity to go for three medals.
In Para ice hockey, the rules are the same as stand up hockey.
WARNING: This story discusses child sexual abuse material and contains graphic details of alleged sexual assault
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