University of Guelph runner wins bronze at Parapan Am Games

University of Guelph runner Leah Robinson won a bronze medal in the 200-metre dash at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto on Aug. 12.

Robinson has competed for Canada several times, including at the Paralympic Games in Beijing (2008) and in London (2012).

In Beijing, Robinson was the youngest member of the Canadian team at the age of 14.

Leah Robinson after winning bronze

Leah Robinson after winning bronze

In Toronto, Robinson competed in the T37 category (for athletes with fewer impairments) and finished in 31.94 seconds, behind runners from Argentina and Venezuela.

She will compete in her specialty event, the 400-metre dash, on Friday.

A bachelor of arts student, Robinson transferred to Guelph from Trinity Western University last spring.

Born with cerebral palsy, she is a right-sided hemiplegic, which means the muscles on the right side of her body are smaller and atrophied. Explaining that the impact is mild, she says she trains with able-bodied athletes at U of Guelph, which has helped her improve her times.

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For more information, please contact:

Lori Bona Hunt
Director (News Service)
Communications and Public Affairs
519 824-4120 ext. 53338
lhunt@uoguelph.ca