By Chad Klassen

Legacy Games feature Paralympians preparing for Rio

Jul 22, 2016 | 1:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a competition that came out of the Western Canada Summer Games five years ago — a legacy of sorts.

The Legacy Performance Games have offered a Games experience in Kamloops during the last three years, without the need for an official Games. For some it’s just a fun event, for others it’s preparation for bigger competitions.

Emmy Kaiser from Cinncinati is tuning up in Kamloops for Rio 2016. She’ll be competing in the Paralympics in tennis, her second trip to the Games. 

“I’m really excited,” she says. “It got to go to London, so I’ve got the experience under my belt, but I can’t wait. Should be really fun, good competition.”

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Kaiser was knocked out in the Round of 16 at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. She’s in Kamloops this week for the Legacy Games, coming up after competing in a tournament last week in Vancouver. 

“I knew I was coming back to Vancouver this year, so may as well come while I’m here because everyone loved it. Figured I’d stay another week.”

The Legacy Games give high-level and recreational athletes, both disabled and able-bodied athletes, who wouldn’t otherwise have this opportunity. 

“They’re about sports and athletes that aren’t traditionally involved in major multi-sport Games like the BC Winter Games, the Canada Winter Games, or the Canada Summer Games,” says Duncan Olthuis from the Kamloops Sports Council. “Sometimes athletes’ age groups are missed out as well, so that’s what these Games are all about.”

Casey Ratzlaff is the second-ranked disabled junior tennis player in the U.S. He’s thankful for opportunities like these to compete. 

The wheelchair tennis tournament, part of the Legacy Games, actually counts towards Paralympic qualification for the 2020 Games.

“It’s been incredible,” says Ratzlaff. “I never would’ve thought six years ago that I would be where I am now. The opportunities I’ve been given are crazy, and I plan on doing this the rest of my life.”

For Richard Peter, who has competed in five Paralympic Games as a wheelchair basketball player, playing tennis is more for recreation than anything. 

“I just love playing sports, and so it’s always great to get out and enjoy the weather, and with a lot of friends. Just out here having a lot of fun,” says Peters. 

For Kaiser, her second Paralympic Games will have a different feel, coming in with more experience and more momentum.