Her turn to serve

Tuxedo

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This article was published 27/09/2023 (984 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg is taking centre court in Santiago, Chile, in November.

Local para-badminton athlete Olivia Meier will represent Canada at the upcoming 2023 Parapan American Games, to be held in the Chilean capital from Nov. 17 to 23.

Badminton is a great sport to watch, Meier said, adding that the upcoming competition will be especially exciting as everyone battles for the podium in a number of different categories, including mixed doubles, singles, wheelchair, and more.

Meier is part of the nine-member Canadian Para-badminton team heading to Santiago, whose members are drawn from seven different provinces. Five members — Meier included — competed in the 2022 Parapan Am Games in Lima, Peru, where Meunier won gold and silver in mixed doubles and women’s singles respectively.

The team competes in several different categories, such as short stature, wheelchair, and standing categories with physical impairments (Meier’s competitive category).

The majority of athletes have competed at international Paralympic competitions before, Meier said, at competitions as far away as Europe and Asia.

“Some of our athletes on the team didn’t initially start out in badminton,” she added. “We have Parapan Am medallists and Paralympians who competed in para-swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.”

The 24-year-old from Tuxedo is currently in her second year studying law at the University of Ottawa. She started playing badminton when she was eight, and said the support of her family was a major factor in getting to where she is now.

Meier said she began playing competitively when she was 10, and went on to represent Manitoba at national junior tournaments. In 2016, she competed in the inaugural Canadian Para-Nationals, which took place in Moncton, N.B.

“I was introduced to badminton by my mom, who began playing and competing herself when she was a teenager. She was introduced to the sport from her dad — my grandfather — who also played competitively,” Meier said. “It was a very natural introduction to the sport as it was something we did together as a family.”

Leading up to the competition, Meier says that she’s hoping to represent Canada well.

“I think I have very good accuracy and placement,” she said. “I also enjoy adding in a cut drop to try to throw my opponent’s timing off.”

“As a competitive athlete, you always see areas that can be improved upon,” Meier continued. “In particular, I am continuously working on my footwork and speed. The mental side of the game is also something that I could improve upon as it’s hard to be always dialled in when you need to be.”

Meier has been readying for the competitions, playing and practising the game tirelessly with her colleagues at the University of Ottawa, which she says has kept her competition-ready.

“It’s always a very gratifying experience stepping on court playing for Canada,” she said, adding that she’s honoured to represent the country. “I would also say I’m very excited to be a part of a team and see all my teammates again. We’re all very supportive of each other.”