Celebratory installation coming to Calgary to inspire support for local para-cyclist Kate O'Brien at Tokyo Games

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Calgary athlete Kate O’Brien will compete in the Paralympic Games next week for the first time, after sustaining a head injury in a serious cycling crash four years ago.

The para-cyclist’s friends, family and community will cheer her on from Calgary as she races the C4 500m for the Canadian Paralympic Team in Tokyo, Beth Smith, O’Brien’s mother, said Wednesday.

O’Brien shifted from able-bodied cycling to para-cycling following a crash in July 2017 during a track cycling demonstration at Calgary’s Glenmore Velodrome that resulted in significant injuries. Before the accident, she had medalled at the 2015 Pan American Games and competed in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, among other world championships in cycling and bobsled.

Smith said the transition to para-cycling has taken a tremendous amount of determination and strength.

“She is so hard-working and driven, this is what she wanted to do and this is what she’s doing,” Smith said.

“Everybody has a correct perception that these athletes work incredibly hard to get where they are but I don’t think they’re quite as aware of how the para-athletes have to work even harder.”

The 33-year-old won gold and set world records at the 2020 World Para Cycling Track Championships, so she’ll be racing for a spot on the podium in Tokyo. The Tokyo Paralympic Games run Aug. 24 to Sept. 5.

To inspire Calgarians to rally behind O’Brien and Canada’s other Paralympic athletes as the Tokyo Games kick off, Canadian Tire will unveil an interactive “Celebration Wall” at Wheel of Women Plaza in East Village on Monday.

The installation will be along the RiverWalk throughout the Paralympic Games to encourage fans to take photos and post their support for the country’s para-athletes online.

Canadian Tire is encouraging people to tag Instagram photos with #WeAllPlayForCanada, @canadiantire and O’Brien @emptykate so their support reaches the athletes.

Smith said people’s online support for Canada’s Paralympic athletes will mean the world to them as they compete without friends and family in the stands due to the pandemic.

“This is such a great tribute for Kate, and it’s well-deserved by her because she has been through a lot and come through like a champion,” said Smith.

“Support of any kind is so important, whether it be selfies or messages . . . It’s not the same as having a stand full of crowds, but it helps.”

The celebration wall in Calgary is one of six that Canadian Tire has commissioned across the country.

Celebration walls were also created in Toronto to support athletics athlete Aaron Brown, Vancouver to cheer on sport climbing Olympian Alannah Yip, Montreal to encourage tennis player Leylah Fernandez and King City to support trampoline athlete Rosie MacLennan. As well, a wall was displayed in Quebec City for para-swimming athlete Nicolas-Guy Turbide.

Dealer Jason Hayes from the Calgary Pacific Place Canadian Tire store has also donated $10,000 to WinSport’s female sport development programs in O’Brien’s honour.

sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie