Danik Allard

Started: He took up the sport in 2012. (bocciacanada.ca, 01 Jan 2020) Reason: He was initially involved in Para ice hockey and Para swimming but switched to boccia after his mother signed him up for the sport. "I loved the strategic aspect of the game. It brought me all I could ask for in a sport. It's my parents who discovered the sport on the web. They really encouraged me to try it and I fell in love with it. I love the sport because I have the chance to be myself and to perform like I need, like I want, like I love." (montreal.citynews.ca, 27 Apr 2023; paralympic.ca, 14 Jun 2021; bocciacanada.ca, 01 Jan 2020) Additional Info: ONLINE BOCCIA During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 he competed against teammates and fans using the online simulation game 'Boccia Battle'. The tournament was arranged by Canadian non-profit organisation SportAbility. "The big difference is the no contact with people. [There is] no crowd and [it is] not the real rules of boccia. It's technically the same but not really." (Boccia Canada YouTube channel, 08 Dec 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES He has done speaking engagements, including at conferences. (bocciacanada.ca, 01 Jan 2020)