PARIS – The Canadian women’s wheelchair basketball team missed the podium on the final day of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after falling 64-43 to China in the bronze-medal match.
Canada battled hard but were unable to recover after falling behind early, down 35-17 after the first half.
It’s a disappointment for the Canadians who came in with a very different game plan.
“I don’t think we had an amazing start,” said Arinn Young, a 10-year veteran of the team. “We’re always really adamant about throwing that first punch, and unfortunately, China was the one that threw it first, and we just couldn’t come back from it.”
Speaking after the game, Tara Llanes, a stalwart of the Canadian program, gave credit to the strong fight put up by the Chinese side.
“They did everything well. Their press, their mismatches on the littles, their No. 3 shooter hit everything,” said Llanes. “It’s pretty tough to defend when you have a team like that. You can only make so many rotations until someone is open, and you hope that they miss and they didn’t.”
Despite the loss, it is the Canadian women’s best finish in the event in 20 years. The team hadn’t reached the final four at the Paralympic Games since Athens 2004, where they went home with a bronze medal.
“I’m really proud of our finish,” said Young. “I’m just proud of this team and how we’ve improved these last few months.”
While the loss stings now, this Canadian team goes home with a whole lot to be proud of after a stellar tournament.
“I don’t think we’re a fourth place team, I do think we’re a medal team,” she said. “This wasn’t our day. Unfortunately, that’s basketball.”