The Défi sportif (, sports challenge) is a multi-sport event for disabled athletes held annually in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is the largest parasports event in Canada. The Défi sportif involves athletes across five types of disabilities: auditory, physical, psychiatric, intellectual, and visual, as well as athletes of multiple levels – from students to Paralympic athletes.
The main event site is Montreal's Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, but other sites in Montreal are used, such as Centre Pierre-Charbonneau, Collège de Maisonneuve, Mount Royal, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, etc.
History The first Défi sportif opened on April 19, 1984, under the auspices of the organization known as the Regional Association for the Recreation of Disabled Persons of the Island of Montreal. The inaugural Défi sportif welcomed no less than 720 athletes competing in 16 sports at three sites. In fact, it is the first time that associations representing all five types of disability gather to participate at one sporting event.
One of the events goals was to be self-financing. To that end the business community was approached and by the event's second year, numerous patrons, partners and sponsors lent their support and popular Quebec humorist Yvon Deschamps signed on as spokesman, a role he would play for the next fifteen years.
In 1986, the Défi sportif was named "Sporting Event of the Year" by the Montréal-Concordia Sports Commission.
The Défi sportif was originally a provincial event, but by 1989, more and more sports clubs from outside Quebec sent participants, and in the early 1990s, the Défi sportif went officially international with athletes Canada, the United States and France.
In 1998, the Défi sportif hosted athletes from eight countries, including Germany, France, Australia and Poland and was named the Quebec international sports event of the year.
In 2005, the Défi sportif welcomed some 2700 athletes over five days of competition. Its official spokespeople included wheelchair athlete Chantal Petitclerc.
In 2006, the Défi sportif welcomed some 2800 athletes over its run from April 26 to 30. Its official spokespeople once again included Petitclerc.
Games
No.YearHost cityEvents11984 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 21985 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 31986 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 41987 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 51988 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 61989 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 71990 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 81991 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 91992 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 101993 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 111994 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 121995 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 131996 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 141997 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 151998 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 161999 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 172000 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 182001 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 192002 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 202003 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 212004 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 222005 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 232006 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 242007 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 252008 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 262009 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 272010 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 282011 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 292012 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 302013 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 312014 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 322015 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 332016 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 342017 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 352018 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 362019 Montreal, Quebec, Canada 372020 Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Virtual)
Sports involved Competitions in the following sports are held at the Défi sportif: Badminton Ball hockey Boccia Cycling Goalball Rhythmic gymnastics Soccer Swimming Track and field Volleyball Water polo Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair fencing Wheelchair racing Wheelchair rugby
References
External links Défi sportif