With the 20th anniversary of his gold medal victory approaching, Chris Daw announced his return
After an 18-year absence from high-performance competition, Chris Daw – the first Paralympic wheelchair curling gold medallist skip – is returning to his sport.
Daw and his Canada teammates Gerry Austgarden, Gary Cormack, Sonja Gaudet and Karen Blachford made history at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games by beating Great Britain 6-4 in the gold medal final, at the first Games to feature the sport discipline.
Daw’s Team Canada won the round robin at 5-2 and stole the last end of the semifinal to defeat Norway by a 5-4 count.
Now, 20 years later, Daw is stepping back onto the national stage and will represent British Columbia at the 2026 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships in Boucherville, QC at the end of April.
“I’ve resisted past thoughts about getting back on the ice, and there’s been a lot of recruitment efforts over the years,” said Daw from Victoria, B.C.
“I’ve always said no. But now, I’ve decided I’d like to help foster some grassroots growth while competing again.”
Daw captured three straight national wheelchair curling titles between 2004 and 2006, and winning world silver in 2002 and gold in 2003.
He is also a multi-sport athlete with summer Paralympic Games appearances in athletics, adaptive athletics and wheelchair rugby.
What began as a quiet return to curling practice ice clearly evolved into something bigger.
“I’ve got a veteran and a couple of rookies on my new team, so it should be a fun experience,” said Daw.
Daw (centre) at a recent school appearanceThe team lineup includes five-time national champion Frank La Bounty (Prince George) who is also returning after an eight-year absence, newcomers Tom Henderson and Matthew Ford, and Daw’s wife Elizabeth Daw.
According to Daw, the landscape of wheelchair curling has evolved significantly over the past 18 years. The sport is faster, more strategic, and deeper in talent than ever before. Returning to national competition requires renewed training, modernized strategy and a commitment to adapting to today’s game.
Daw understands the challenges that lie ahead.
“This isn’t about reliving 2006,” Daw said. “That moment is part of history. This is about writing a new chapter, helping the sport, and earning the right to compete again and represent B.C. with pride.”
Daw has an initial sponsor lined up, SP Pumps & Tanks Ltd.