Yukoner Jessica Frotten passed over for Paralympic team
'I need to take a little time off, I think,' says wheelchair racer
Jessica Frotten says she's ready to take a bit of time off from racing, after learning that she won't be going to Rio as part of Canada's Paralympic team.
The team was officially announced on Thursday, but the Whitehorse athlete says she found out a couple of weeks ago.
"I wasn't exactly a shoo-in, but I thought I was looking… I thought I was going," Frotten said.
"I definitely have some things to think about."
Last summer, Frotten took home two bronze medals from the Parapan Am Games — her first major international event — and narrowly missed winning a third. She won her medals in the 100-meter and 400-meter wheelchair races.
She also competed last year at the International Paralympic Commitee (IPC) World Championships in Qatar. She was the only Northerner on the team.
Frotten said this year has been tougher for her.
"I had a really good start out to my season, and I should have finished a little stronger," she said. "I maybe lost my focus a little bit at the end."
Frotten said when she started racing, it relieved stress, but lately "it's become more of a stressor."
"I do love racing, I just... I need to take a little time off, I think. My body needs it."
With files from Dave Croft