Fifth-time Paralympian, Katarina Roxon, talked with Sport NL ahead of the Paralympics Games Paris 2024. Katarina, originally from Kippens, NL, makes history as the first Canadian female swimmer to attend five Paralympics Games. She also held the honour of representing Canada as the flag bearer in the games Opening Ceremony with wheelchair basketball medalist, Patrick Anderson. Katarina will compete in two events during the 2024 Paralympics: the Women’s 100m Breaststroke – SB8 and the Women’s 200m Individual Medley – Sm9.
Katarina speaks about her journey to her fifth Paralympics, how her mindset has changed, and what advice she has to Newfoundland and Labrador athletes wanting to make it to the international stage. Read the full interview below:
Sport NL: Thank you so much for joining me, Katarina. I really appreciate it, and congratulations on making it to your fifth Paralympics. That is so exciting. We are all so excited for you here, and I know the whole province of Newfoundland and Labrador is cheering you on.
Katarina Roxon: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it, and honestly it truly makes such a big difference to athletes training going away competing to know that they have support from home, it makes a world of a difference. So, thank you to everybody. I really appreciate it, absolutely.
SNL: You are in your fifth Paralympics now, and you started when you were just 15. How has your mindset changed from your first games to right now? Take me through your journey of your first Paralympics in your mindset, and how it has changed to today?
KR: It’s basically night and day. When I went to my first games, I was 15, so I was the youngest Canadian athlete at the games at that time. The majority of it is going to have fun and enjoying the experience. You’re put into kind of an athlete, let’s say bubble, where you’re just surrounded by so many athletes from all over the world in various sports. Honestly, it was an amazing experience. I had the best time. I loved it. It was so much fun. I enjoyed competing, and I enjoyed how I raced. I mean, I didn’t even make the finals in Beijing when I was 15 but I had so much fun. My family was there. It was great to have that. It was great to be with the team. I really loved that experience. I am going to my fifth games, so even going to my second games, you slowly mature. You mature as an athlete and you set goals for yourself that are of a higher standard every single time you compete. Now being in my fifth games, I have to say that I’m still having fun with it. It’s great that we have three captains, and I’m super honored that I get to be one of them, and because, especially this year, we have a lot a lot of new people, a lot of rookies on the team, which is so awesome for Swimming Canada. To be able to be that kind of person that, especially they look up to, and they come and talk to and ask questions. I get to see two different sides of it, where I was the baby and I was asking everybody else for guidance, and now I get to be the person people come to for guidance. So it’s honestly such a great experience. It’s like a full circle moment, and I’m really having fun with it.
“Now being in my fifth games, I have to say that I’m still having fun with it.”
SNL: Obviously, the Tokyo Games were a vastly different Paralympics for a lot of people. Can you talk a bit about your mindset during that time?
KR: It was harder than any other year of competing, whether a Paralympic Games year or World Championships year, Pan Am Games year. I mean, we got hit with the covid in wintertime, so I couldn’t do anything really. I actually started cross country skiing. I don’t know how to ski, but it was fun to experience something different. It kept me active. When the summer started rolling around and things started opening, being able to get back into the pool was amazing. But it’s not the same. Like you can’t train the same. Your whole routine is completely thrown off. For that year and a half, it was completely thrown off. It played a huge role in my performance in Tokyo. I was not pleased at all with my performance in Tokyo. Everybody was affected in some way or form. I mean people always say we are all in the same boat. We were not all in the same boat. We were all going through the same storm, though. But some people’s boats were sinking. Some people’s boats were just floating. Everyone had a very different experience, and it played a part in how I prepared, mentally, physically, everything going into those games. I mean, it was a big learning lesson. It was a big learning curve for everybody. And I think now, looking back, we kind of have an idea how to, kind of mentally prepare ourselves a bit better for situations that may arise, which start to do derail plans, right? So, I mean, it is all a learning lesson and for the future.
SNL: Well, moving on to a more positive note with the Paris Paralympics, the energy must be just so exciting going into these Paralympics. People are increasingly learning more about para sport. As a para-athlete, what do you want people viewing to know about para sport?
KR: The Paralympics is an amazing an amazing opportunity to see one how diverse our world actually is, because, for the most part, everybody lives in a bubble. It’s in a bubble that they all know and are familiar with, with things they see daily. The Paralympics is a world where your perspective on everything changes, your outlook on people changes, and I feel like it’s very eye opening to see so many different athletes with so many various abilities competing and throwing everything they have out there to try and be the best possible. It’s amazing to see what people can do with what they’re given. It was super eye opening for me when I joined the para sport world. I think my message for everyone is watch something. It doesn’t matter what sport of the Paralympics. Watch at least one thing. It doesn’t even have to be swimming. I promise I won’t be offended. Really immerse yourself into it and do a little research on it. See what the rules are. See what how this, how this sport is supposed to be played. See what athletes are eligible. There’s not a lot, but there are some sports that are not even in the Olympics. They’re just for the Paralympics. And I think it’s amazing, but once you watch it and see what these different athletes can do. It is seeing the world from such a different perspective. I think once you start watching it, you are going to be very happy that you took the time, took the interest to see it, and you’re going to get a new perspective and have a lot more appreciation. When you watch the Paralympics you are going to stop underestimating a lot of people.
“I think once you start watching (The Paralympics) you are going to be very happy that you took the time, took the interest to see it, and you’re going to get a new perspective and have a lot more appreciation.”
SNL: Growing up in a small town in a small province, what is your experience getting onto the international stage? And your advice for future athletes hoping to get there?
KR: I think Newfoundland and Labrador is absolutely amazing. There’s been so many steps forward and getting our athletes to the top. Especially coming from a small town, I didn’t really have anybody to look up to until I got into the para sport world, and then I met one of my teammates. She is from BC, and then she was my role model. No matter where you are, no matter where you live, regardless, it doesn’t have to be just Newfoundland Labrador. It can be anywhere, but regardless of where you live, whatever opportunity comes your way, you should jump on it. Don’t think there’s going to be another opportunity later. No, take that opportunity right now. That opportunity is looking at you and wanting you to grab it. Don’t wait till later. Do it now. You never know how your life can change. I never dreamt of even going to the Paralympic Games. I didn’t even know what the Paralympics were until were until I found out what para sport and para swimming was. Now look, 20 years later, I’m going to my fifth games. Your life can completely change by just taking an opportunity. Whatever it is, you’re going to have people who are going to support you. I’m not going to lie. There are going to be people who don’t support you because that’s just how life is. It’s not about proving those people wrong. It’s about proving yourself right. So, dream big, massive dreams. It doesn’t have to be in sports. It can be in absolutely anything in life. Dream big, bold dreams. And go for it. Go after it with everything that you have. Don’t let anything stop you. Don’t let anything get in your way.
“There are going to be people who don’t support you because that’s just how life is. It’s not about proving those people wrong. It’s about proving yourself right.”
Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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