Path to Paris: USask alum Shaw ready to race in Paralympics

After her recovery, Shaw dabbled in a few different Para sports before quickly developing a love for cycling, starting in the sport in 2016 and winning her first medal at the national championships a year later. Shaw rode into the international spotlight when she won a silver medal in the individual pursuit at the 2019 world championships as she reached the pinnacle of the sport. A proud proponent and advocate for increased opportunities and exposure for women and for all athletes with impairments, Shaw is anxious to show the world the passion she shares for sport with her fellow Paralympians.

"I am so excited not only to have my family there, but for the world to see our sport," said Shaw. "Para-sport is so little known compared to able-bodied sport, so it will be really, really exciting to showcase what we can do and to show just how far our sport has come in the last few years."

As she prepares to pack for Paris, her luggage will include a little reminder of USask that travels with her everywhere she goes.

"My favourite pajamas are from USask, so they will be coming with me for sure," said Shaw, who was the Sask Sport female athlete of the year in 2019 and 2021. "They are my cozy pajamas that have travelled the world with me many times over and will be with me in Paris."

Shaw takes to the track for her premier event, the C4 individual pursuit, on August 30, two days after the Paralympic opening ceremonies. Having taken part in previous Para-cycling test events in Paris, Shaw is feeling comfortable and confident heading into the biggest competition of her career.

"We rode there before and we actually had the track world championships there in 2022 so I was there for that - and had COVID two days before," said Shaw, who will also compete in the road time trial (14 kilometres) and the road race (71 km). "We were also in Paris last spring between a couple of events to kind of scope out the area and to get an idea of what things will look like for the Games. So we're ready and we can't wait to get started."