THUNDER BAY — Keegan Gaunt has achieved her lifelong dream.
"It is official. I am going to Paris!," she posted on her social media page
The 24-year-old athlete – born and raised in Thunder Bay but now living in Victoria – has been chosen to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games that start in France at the end of August.
The announcement was made by the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Athletics Canada.
"I am currently at a loss for words," Gaunt wrote upon learning she is one of 20 male and female competitors from across the country nominated to compete in Para athletics.
"Growing up with two Paralympic medallists as parents, it has been my lifelong dream to represent team Canada at a Paralympic Games . . . I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my family, friends, teammates, coaches, @csipacific @athleticscanada IST, nutritionists, and community. I would not be here without each and every one of you."
Gaunt, who won a bronze medal in the women's T13 1500 metre race at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Chile last November, will compete in the 1500 m and 400 m events in Paris.
She is the daughter of Robbi Weldon, who won a gold medal in Para cycling at the 2012 Paralympic Games.
Like her mother, Gaunt was diagnosed in her teenage years with Stargardt disease, a condition that attacks the central vision and which has left her with blind spots.
Her father, Robert Gaunt – who is also visually impaired – won a silver medal for Canada in men's goalball in the 1996 Paralympic Games.
In an interview Monday, she said it means a lot to carry on the legacy of her parents.
"It's very special to me. Growing up, my parents never put pressure on me to follow that path. They just wanted me to be happy, dream big, and whatever I wanted to do. But of course they introduced me to sports at a very young age, and I just had a passion for running. I'm looking forward to following in their footsteps."
Gaunt said she would be pleased if her own story proves to be inspiring to others in the future.
"There's so many people that I look up to, and making Paris is still super-new to me. If anything, if there's any young athletes, or especially someone who's visually impaired, I hope to be a positive role model for them, and just show that hard work, and that there will be obstacles, but you can overcome them."
In terms of preparation for competing on the world's biggest stage next month, she said "We've been working toward this goal for years, so the important thing is not to change anything, just continue with the progress we've been making, and focusing on sleep and recovery, just staying healthy going into the games."
Gaunt said she has a lot of extended family members and friends in Thunder Bay, and plans to get back to the city as soon as she can.
