Dixon, a 23-year-old student at the University of Victoria, won the medals at the 2007 Can-Am Swimmers with a Disability Championships that wrapped Sunday in Montreal. She swam to gold in the 100m back with a time of 1:13.45 and in the 400m free in 4:55.10.
The meet was the qualifier for the 2007 Parapanamerican Games running August 12-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brampton, ON-raised Dixon, who was born with just one leg, heads to Brazil directly from Montreal to drum up support for the Parapanamerican Games, being held for the first time in the same city and at the same venues as the Panamerican Games.
“It is necessary to increase the number of elite-level sporting opportunities for people with disabilities so the Parapanamerican Games are another important opportunity for Paralympic sport,” says Dixon. “Raising awareness of Paralympic sport and ensuring equal opportunity for people with a disability to participate in sports are goals that are dear to my heart.”
While in Brazil, Dixon will go to local schools in Rio and San Paulo, practice with Brazilian swimmers, go to the Parapanamerican Village, give speeches, do media events and meet with the Games organizing committee on accessibility issues. On the trip, she will also be named an ambassador for the 2007 Parapanamerican Games.
Dixon says her main message will be that “anyone can get out there and compete in sports, even if it’s not at the Paralympic level.”
“No one should be afraid to go after their goals and dreams,” she adds. “I think everyone can feel the same level of accomplishment that I feel even if it’s not at the Paralympic level. Not everyone can be an elite athlete at the international level, but everyone can go after their dreams.”
The Canadian Paralympic Committee, in conjunction with its member National Sports Organizations, will be sending up to 125 athletes to the 2007 Parapanamerican Games. Ten sports are included in the Games: athletics, football (soccer) 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, judo, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. Canada will have teams in at least seven of the 10 sports. For more information about the Parapanamerican Games, go to www.rio2007.org.br/pan2007/ingles/para_org.asp.
