Daniel looks to older brother for inspiration as he leads Para-triathlon team to Rio
Stefan Daniel will be part of triathlon history when he represents Canada in the inaugural Paralympic event this summer in Rio de Janeiro. That might seem daunting for a 19-year-old athlete, but Daniel doesn’t have to look very far for a trailblazing role model.
Daniel was one of four athletes named to Canada’s first ever Para-triathlon team on Tuesday. The 2015 world champion from Calgary, who is one of the favourites to win gold in the S4 category in Rio, said his older brother Christian was his inspiration when it came to living, and competing, with a disability.
Christian Daniel, who has cerebral palsy, recently retired after several years on Canada’s para-swimming team. Stefan Daniel, who was born with bilateral radial club hands significantly affecting his right arm, said his older brother’s attitude is a source of motivation.
“He’s been a pretty big inspiration of mine,” Daniel said from Victoria. “He never let his disability get to him. He’s the happiest guy, most positive guy around. He takes his disability for what it is: ‘I have to accept it and I have to be happy with it.’