Ruth Sylvie Morel

Started: She took up the sport in 1997 in Montreal, QC, Canada. (Athlete, 24 Aug 2011) Reason: She was introduced to wheelchair sports by her physiotherapist. She played wheelchair basketball before switching to fencing. (fencing.ca, 01 Jan 2012; Athlete, 24 Aug 2011) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympic.ca, 12 Jul 2024) Additional Info: RETIREMENT PLANS She plans to retire from wheelchair fencing after competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, which will be her fourth appearance at the Games. She previously took a break from the sport between 2016 and 2019 after missing out on qualification for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "These will be my last Paralympic Games as an athlete, it has been a long and arduous road full of surprises, both positive and negative. I have surpassed all my dreams and expectations by going to my fourth Paralympics, and I am just absolutely astounded that I have made it this far. At my age, you rarely see elite athletes competing with other athletes 40 years younger than them. Sport was always my way out of tough situations in my life. I was never extremely talented in sport, but I was never scared of hard work to make your life what you want it to be. I am thankful to have made my dreams and hopes a reality." (paralympic.ca, 12 Jul 2024, 09 Jul 2021) FENCING SCHOOL She ran a fencing school for 15 years until 2013. She has also been a scout for the Canadian wheelchair fencing team and has worked as an analyst and consultant. (paralympic.ca, 09 Jul 2021; cbc.ca, 01 May 2018; fencing.ca, 01 Jan 2012; Athlete, 24 Aug 2011)