Homecoming Lecture: Western at the Olympics
With guest lecturer: Darda Sales
Date and Time
Friday, September 27th
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS)
3M Centre, Room 2235, Western University
About the Event
We were thrilled to host our homecoming event, “Western at the Olympics,” featuring guest lecturer Darda Sales. This lecture was co-hosted by the International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS) and the Western Mustangs Alumni Association (WMAA).Attendees enjoyed an inspiring session with Darda Sales, a proud Western graduate, Paralympian and coach.
About Darda Sales
Darda Sales started taking swimming lessons in 1991 at the suggestion of her physiotherapist at the then-called Rotary Children’s Place in Sarnia (now Pathways Health Centre for Children). In 1992, Recreation Therapist Dave Schaller invited her to try racing, where she met three swimmers aiming to represent Canada at the 1992 Paralympic Games. Inspired by their enthusiasm, Sales set her goal to make the Paralympic team.
Her journey saw her mother co-found the Sarnia Red Hots, a multi-para sport organization. Sales made her first international team in 2000 and competed in swimming at the Paralympic Games, winning multiple medals. She transitioned to wheelchair basketball in 2009, quickly excelling and joining the national team in 2014.
She says the opportunity to represent Canada is “the greatest honour an athlete can achieve”. With her successful background in swimming, she has a wealth of experience competing on the international stage and made a return to the Paralympic Games in 2016, this time on the hardcourt.
Career Highligts
Sales is a three-time Paralympian in swimming and a Paralympic gold and silver medallist in the 4 x 100m medley relay in 2000 and 2004, respectively.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Marnie McBean, Guest Lecuture and Paralympian Darda Sales and ICOS Director, Angela Schneider at the 2024 Homecoming Lecture: Western at the Olympics
