LETHBRIDGE, AB – Cardston’s Payden (Olsen) Vair is ready to represent Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games next week.
It’s been three years since a the former Lethbridge College Kodiaks soccer player had her right leg amputated below the knee after a life-changing lawnmower accident on her family farm.
Vair made her Team Canada sitting volleyball debut at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Peru and earned a bronze medal.
Now, she says she can’t wait for the chance to help her team compete in the Paralympics – a dream that’s been on pause for the past year due to COVID-19.
“I’m so excited that I got to reach the next level and represent such an amazing country. I love the way that everything has turned out and I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean, I would love to play soccer again but I’m also loving where I am with volleyball. I hope that the more I talk about it, the more people can learn about the Paralympics and sitting volleyball. It’s such a cool sport and we’re ready to compete for Canada.”
Preliminary round action for Team Canada starts next Friday, Aug. 27 against Brazil.
Canada is currently ranked fifth in the world.