Vancouver's Andrea Holmes is a Paralympian. She represented Canada in athletics from 2002 to 2007, and currently competes as a member of BC's Disabled Ski Team. Andrea won bronze medal in long jump at the Para-Pan American Games in 2007. She is a four-time Canadian long jump and three-time 100 m champion and a Canadian record holder in high jump. Holmes believes that the Olympic and Paralympic Games value of excellence means believing in yourself, setting a goal and setting out with a plan to achieve it. Her goal is to represent Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in her hometown.
Athletic Goals
• To make the National Alpine Ski team
• Promote the Paralympic movement so everyone knows about it.
Favourite Olympic/Sporting Moment
• Marching into the stadium in the Opening Ceremony at the Athens Paralympic Games.
• Being 1 of 9 people chosen from Canada to run in the Paralympic Torch Relay in Beijing.
Best Advice You've Ever Received
My dad - "Go and change your life – make it whatever you want it to be!" I was dropping him off at the airport and I was deciding to retire from athletics and take on a new goal of alpine skiing.
Being an RBC Athlete means...
It really means a lot. To be part of the RBC Olympians Program for a third year and through a change of sport really shows that I am supported through my passion and goals! This program allows me the balance that I need as an athlete, as well balance my professional career outside of sport, and I am so thankful for this opportunity!