Canada leaves Para athletics worlds with 14 medals, its best showing since 2013

Canada wrapped up the World Para Athletics Championships with four medals Monday, including gold by runner Nate Riech, and 14 overall for its highest total since earning 15 in 2013.

Riech, 28, successfully defended his men's T38 1,500-metre title from 2019, stopping the clock in four minutes 3.07 seconds at Charlety Stadium in Paris.

"Things opened up with 100 metres to go," the Victoria resident told CBC Sports. "I'd say it was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had being part of Team Canada, this culture, and I can't wait for [the 2024 Paralympics]."

In 2018, he set world records in the men's 800 and 1,500 at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Berlin.

Riech twice lowered his 1,500 mark in 2019 and 2021, which currently stands at 3:47.89. His 5,000 world record has stood since 2021.

WATCH | Riech reaches 1,500m finish line 1st in 4:03.07:

Victoria's Nate Riech runs to world Para championship gold

2 years ago

Duration 10:16

The 2019 world champion and 2020 Olympic champion in the men's 1,500-metre T38 event, Nate Riech of Victoria, B.C. won the event again at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he clocked a Games record 3:58.92 in the men's final

"I

WATCH | Vucsics picks up long jump bronze:

Calgary's Noah Vucsics leaps to world Para long jump silver medal

2 years ago

Duration 1:32

Calgarian Noah Vucsics set a new personal best, and Americas record, with a jump of 7.35-metres to claim silver in the men's T20 long jump event, at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

a won with a championship record jump of 7.40. He also boasts the world mark of 7.64 from Oct. 9, 2018.

WATCH | Silver medallist Foessel: 'There's no words to explain the feeling':

Ontario's Renee Foessel claims silver at Para worlds

2 years ago

Duration 2:18

Renee Foessel of Orangeville, Ont., finished second in the women's discus throw F38 final, behind only Simone Kruger of South Africa, who broke Foessel's world record, at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

WATCH | Papaconstantinou runs season-best time for 200m bronze:

Toronto's Marissa Papaconstantinou promoted to world Para bronze medal

2 years ago

Duration 6:58

Toronto's Marissa Papaconstantinou was promoted to a bronze medal in the women's 200-metre T64 final, after Marlene van Gansewinkel of the Netherlands was disqualified for a lane violation, at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

• Austin Smeenk. men's T34 800: 4th in 1:40.19
• Cody Fournie, men's T51 200: 6th in 42.00 (PB)
• Natalie Thirsk, women's T38 400: 6th in 1:08.42 (PB)

WATCH | Day 9 highlights from Paris:

World Para Athletics Championships Paris: Day 9 highlights show

2 years ago

Duration 29:47

Watch the highlights show from the final session of the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.