Laurentian accessibility advisor headed to Paris 2024 Paralympics
A Sudbury man who works for Laurentian University as an accessibility advisor is headed to Paris to compete in the 2024 Paralympics in men's boccia.
Lance Cryderman was 12 when he started playing the adapted version of the Italian bowling game bocce for people with severe locomotive disabilities of a cerebral or non-cerebral origin.
Lance Cryderman is heading to compete in the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France. (Supplied/Laurentian University)
Cryderman took several years away from the sport to earn his undergraduate psychology degree and a master's degree in business administration.
Returning in 2017, he earned several national medals and won a silver medal in the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
Winning boccia gold was Alison Levine (centre), while Danik Allard (left) and Sudbury’s Lance Cryderman (right) won silver. (2023 Parapan Am Games)
Cryderman has cerebral palsy and competes in the BC1 category.
"The games are the culmination of a six-year journey marked by determination and dedication as he manages the rigorous demands of training and competition alongside his responsibilities at home and work," Laurentian University said of its alumnus and staff member in a news release Thursday.
"Lance dedicates 10-12 hours each week to honing his skills both on and off the court. His rigorous training regimen includes mental preparation with a sports psychologist, strategic sessions with his coach, meticulous analysis of game footage and at least eight hours of throwing time a week."
Paralympian Lance Cryderman at the Ontario Boccia Championships in Waterloo on July 16, 2023.
Cryderman wants to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
"He believes his journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and support in achieving goals, saying, 'If I’m able to do all this, what’s stopping you?'" the university said.
Cryderman credits his success to his support system, including his wife and colleagues.
"For any boccia player competing at the international level, the Paralympics is the pinnacle of our sport," he said.
"Preparing for it is intense but it is completely worth it and I am incredibly proud to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From essential goods to common stocking stuffers, Trudeau offering Canadians temporary tax relief
Canadians will soon receive a temporary tax break on several items, along with a one-time $250 rebate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
She thought her children just had a cough or fever. A mother shares sons' experience with walking pneumonia
A mother shares with CTVNews.ca her family's health scare as medical experts say cases of the disease and other respiratory illnesses have surged, filling up emergency departments nationwide.
Putin says Russia attacked Ukraine with a new missile that he claims the West can't stop
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that Moscow has tested a new intermediate-range missile in a strike on Ukraine, and he warned that it could use the weapon against countries that have allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia.
Service Canada holding back 85K passports amid Canada Post mail strike
Approximately 85,000 new passports are being held back by Service Canada, which stopped mailing them out a week before the nationwide Canada Post strike.
Taylor Swift's motorcade spotted along Toronto's Gardiner Expressway
Taylor Swift is officially back in Toronto for round two. The popstar princess's motorcade was seen driving along the Gardiner Expressway on Thursday afternoon, making its way to the downtown core ahead of night four of ‘The Eras Tour’ at the Rogers Centre.
Manitoba RCMP issue Canada-wide warrant for Ontario semi-driver charged in deadly crash
Manitoba RCMP have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for the semi-driver involved in a crash that killed an eight-year-old girl and her mother.
Here's a list of items that will be GST/HST-free over the holidays
Canadians won’t have to pay GST on a selection of items this holiday season, the prime minister vowed on Thursday.
Mother charged after infant dies in midtown Toronto: police
The mother of an infant who died after being found at an apartment building in midtown Toronto on Wednesday has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life.
B.C. man who sold Porsche to scammers shares cautionary tale
A man from B.C.’s Lower Mainland who was scammed while selling his Porsche Cayenne online is sharing his cautionary tale – while calling for increased protections from the government.