Wisniewska, Vander Vies named Canada's co-chefs de mission for 2023 Parapan Am Games, 2024 Paralympics

Paralympic medallists Karolina Wisniewska and Josh Vander Vies will lead Team Canada as co-chefs de mission at the upcoming 2023 Parapan Am Games and 2024 Paralympic Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Monday.

Wisniewska, a former Para alpine skier, and Vander Vies, a former boccia player, are the first to share the chef de mission role.

The 2023 Parapan Am Games take place Nov. 17-26 in Santiago, Chile, while the Paris Paralympics run Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 next year.

Along with their plethora of experience as athletes, the accomplished Paralympians also bring recent Games leadership experience to the role. Wisniewska served as assistant chef for the Beijing Winter Paralympics last year, while Vander Vies served as assistant chef for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Wisniewska, who grew up in Calgary and lives in Montreal, competed at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 Paralympics, winning eight medals (four silver, four bronze). She is a member of the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame and was the first Paralympian to be inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame.

The 46-year-old has remained close to the sport community since retiring from competition and has worked as a public speaker and mentor. She currently serves as a manager with the Game Plan organization, supporting Canadian Paralympic and Olympic athletes through the different stages of their careers.

"I am so excited to be one of two co-chefs for the team that will proudly represent Canada at the Santiago Parapan Ams this fall and the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris next year!" Wisniewska said in a release.

Vander Vies, a two-time Paralympian, shone for years as one of Canada's top boccia players before retiring in 2015 after an 11-year career. The