The 40th anniversary of the Défi sportif AlterGo is in full swing at sports facilities across Montreal. Smiles, tears, joy, and good cheer are in abundance. Through a variety of athletic events, athletes of all ages with disabilities are having fun and coming together to overcome differences and fully express themselves through sports.
From April 21 to 30, 2023, primarily at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, 6,000 athletes from 26 countries and 37 schools across Quebec will compete. They are supported by 1,000 volunteers and about 100 sponsors for “10 days of nonstop excitement,” as a longtime volunteer tells us.
“We can play sports, we can win medals, we can all have fun together, and we can win as a team: that’s the best part,” Océane, a young athlete, tells us with a big smile on her face, before adding, “It’s ULTRA awesome.”
Océane, Olivier, Tamara, Ryan, and Louana—as well as the chaperones, teachers, and volunteers—are all here with a shared goal: to SMILE and be proud of themselves!
The AlterGo Challenge is no stranger to the Canadian sports scene, as it is the largest multisport event for people with disabilities, including those with any type of functional limitation (hearing, intellectual, motor, visual, autism spectrum disorders, speech/language, and mental health).
Through a variety of events, everyone will have the chance to push their limits, shine, cheer, encourage others, and above all, be amazed and create countless memories. From track and field to gymnastics, soccer to boccia, baseball to hockey and cycling, there’s something for everyone, and every dream of winning a medal is fair game.
“I see the sparkle in the participants’ eyes—that’s the greatest gift you can receive from the Défi sportif. They’re so proud—it’s not just the athletes, but also the instructors, the coaches, and the parents. We have to tip our hats to these people who give their all to turn these young people into top-notch athletes year after year,” a volunteer tells us, with tears in her eyes.
“What stands out to me about the event are the smiles—from the athletes, the volunteers, and the donors alike,” says Yan Martin, director of the Défi AlterGo.
From up-and-comers to elite athletes, this event aims to bring people together by bringing joy to participants of all kinds.
