Follow UCalgary athletes competing in Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics

As the sports world turns its attention this summer to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, many in the UCalgary community will pay close attention to four specific athletes.

Swimmer Rebecca Smith, a UCalgary alum, and shooter Michele Esercitato, a student, are geared up to perform at the highest levels of their respective sports at the Olympics. And triathlete and alum Stefan Daniel, and postdoc Keely Shaw, a cyclist, have been confirmed as members of Canada’s Paralympics team. 

Here’s a quick overview of the accomplished current and former student-athletes. Check the Games’ daily schedule on the CBC website to learn when Olympic events take place. Watch the Olympics Games on CBC streaming, CBC television, or CBC Gem. 

And let’s cheer on our athletes as they make Canada proud!

Rebecca Smith, BN’24, Olympic swimming

• Highlights: She kept up a demanding schedule as she juggled studies in the UCalgary Bachelor of Nursing program and global swimming competitions. She won a host of athletic awards, including a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics, multiple medals at the World Aquatic Championships, and 2022-23 Dinos Athlete of the Year
• Quote: “I definitely couldn’t have done it without the support of the Faculty of Nursing. I was blown away with how much they supported this crazy balance between my nursing and swimming lives.”
• Learn more: Class of 2024 graduate,  Dinos Athlete of the Year,  Team Canada bio,  Swimming Canada bio,  follow on Instagram 
• When: Olympics overall schedule, swimming schedule starts July 27

Michele Esercitato, Schulich School of Engineering student, Olympic shooting

• Highlights: A computer software engineering undergrad, Esercitato qualified for the Olympics in May, becoming the first Canadian competitor in a men's Olympic pistol event in 32 years 
• Quote: “Doing the best I can is my main objective. Just giving it my all.”
• Learn more: Team Canada bio,  Shooting Federation of Canada bio,  Calgary Herald profile,  follow on LinkedIn
• When: Olympics shooting schedule, men’s 10m air pistol qualifying event July 27, finals July 28

Stefan Daniel, BComm’23, Paralympics triathlete

• Highlights: Considered Canada’s most successful paratriathlete, Daniel is making his third Paralympics appearance, after winning silver at Rio in 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020. Born with bilateral radial club hands, he is also a five-time world champion. Daniel competed with the Dinos as a cross-country runner and in 2015 was named Canada West Rookie of the Year.  
• Quote: “I left nothing on the course. At the end of the day, that's all you can do; that's all you can ask for.”
• Learn more: Canadian Paralympic Committee bio, SportBrand Canada bio, Cochrane Now profile, UCalgary News profile ahead of Tokyo Paralympics
• When: Overall Paralympic schedule, Paratriathlon events Sept. 1-2

Dr. Keely Shaw, Faculty of Kinesiology and Cumming School of Medicine postdoctoral scholar, Paralympics cyclist

• Highlights: As a teenager, Keely turned to cycling for recreation after a horseriding mishap ended her dreams of competing in Olympic hockey some day. After getting a taste of competitive cycling, there was no turning back. Now a postdoctoral scholar, Dr. Shaw, PhD, medalled at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the Paratrack Cycling 2024 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, and has won multiple more awards as a world team member in paracycling.
• Quote: "Sometimes I walk a little bit funny, or limp or trip over my feet, but when I ride a bike, all that goes away. Suddenly I feel strong. I feel co-ordinated. I feel powerful." 
• Learn more: Canadian Paralympic Committee,  USask: Path to Paris,  Instagram 
• When: Paralympic road events Sept. 4-7