Saskatchewan athletes, coaches ready for Rio Paralympics

The 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio are set to get underway, and Saskatchewan is well represented.

The Paralympics are being held from Sept. 7 to18.

Here is a list of Saskatchewan athletes competing:

• Ilana Dupont, Athletics (Saskatoon)
• Shawna Ryan, Cycling - Road (Saskatoon)
• Logan Campbell, Sailing (Saskatoon)
• Morgan Bird, Swimming (Regina)
• Erica Gavel, Women's Wheelchair Basketball (Saskatoon)
• Miranda Biletski, Wheelchair Rugby (Regina)
• Samantha Ryan, Swimming (Saskatoon)
• Nikola (Nik) Goncin, Men's Wheelchair Basketball (Edenwold)

Samantha Ryan was born in England, but lives in Saskatoon.

Goncin was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Morgan Bird, who now lives in Calgary, will be one of the favourites to reach the podium in Rio. The 23-year-old swimmer won two gold medals and a silver in the 2015 Parapan Am Games. She also finished fourth at the 2012 Paralympic Gamesin the 400-metre freestyle.

• Regina-born swimmer Morgan Bird has impressive showing at Parapan Am Games
• VIDEO: Morgan Bird sets another Parapan Am record while taking home the gold

Samantha Ryan is also a strong contender for a medal. The 17-year-old reached the top eight in seven different swimming events at the 2015 Parapan Am Games, including a silver-medal winning performance in the 100-metre butterfly.

• Penny Oleksiak's golden performance inspires Saskatoon swimmers
• Saskatoon's Samantha Ryan, Becky Richter break records and win medals

Wheelchair basketball is also a bright spot for fans wanting to cheer on local athletes. Nik Goncin is one of the best young wheelchair basketball players in the world. Last year, he helped lead Canada to a silver medal at the Parapan Am Games.

• Saskatchewan's Nik Goncin goes from Sarajevo to basketball stardom
• Nik Goncin prepares for 2016 Paralympics in Rio
• Erica Gavel: Day in the life of a wheelchair basketball rookie

Gavel and Canada's women's basketball team also won a silver medal at the 2015 Parapan Am Games.

Saskatchewan leadership

Here are Saskatchewan coaches representing Canada:

• Jacques Landry, Cycling - Road and track (Saskatoon)
• Trent Farebrother, Goalball (Estevan)
• John Wetzstein, Rowing (Regina)
• Richard Reelie, Athletics (Saskatoon)
• Katie Miyazaki, Wheelchair Basketball (Saskatoon)

Reelie and Miyazaki were both born in British Columbia, but now call Saskatoon home.