An additional eight swimmers have earned spots to represent Canada at the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, England. They will be joining a group of 13 confirmed qualifiers announced at the end of the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials this past April.

Following the Para Swimming World Series in Minneapolis last weekend, Sabrina Duchesne, Katie Cosgriffe, Jessica Tinney, Jordan Tucker, Ariana Hunsicker, Clemence Pare, Angela Marina, and Zach Zona were added to the World Para Swimming Championships team that will compete in Manchester, England from July 31 to Aug. 6.

The World Para Swimming Championships is an important step in the preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This particular group is an experienced group along with newcomer Katie Cosgriffe, who will be competing on her first national team.

“As a team, we have worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and I am proud of each and every athlete who has earned their place on the world championships team,” said Senior Team Coach and National Team Performance Manager Mike Thompson. “We will continue to train hard and use our tools to build this team to be the very best it can be both in the pool and in a supportive team structure.”

This team is a key part of the qualification and eligibility process and the increase in team size will help manage key Paris eligibility requirements.

“This year we’ve selected our team with an eye toward Paris in terms of gaining important racing practice, Paris slot allocation, and ensuring our swimmers are eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games,” said Associate High Performance Director and Para Swimming National Coach, Wayne Lomas.

“This is an important year building into 2024 from WPS Championships to Parapan American Games, and eventually the Paralympic Games. Thanks to the support of the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Own The Podium, we look forward to a great championships on the pathway to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”