Canadian Jean-Paul Compaore wins bronze at paralympic worlds

Canada's Jean-Paul Compaore won a bronze medal Saturday in the men's T54 classification 10,000-metres at the world paralympic athletics championship in Lyon, France.

The Sherbrooke, Que., native was third in a time of 23 minutes 05.93 seconds. Gold went to Marcel Hug of Switzerland in 23:04.75, with Japan's Sho Watanabe second in 23:05.24.

"I'm very happy to represent Canada, it's a pleasure for me. To win a medal for Canada is a true honour, " said Compaore.

Josh Cassidy of Ottawa was fourth in 23:06.08.

In the women's T53 wheelchair classification 200-metres semifinal Ilana Dupont of Saskatoon finished second to qualify for the final.

"I felt super-comfortable and it was a seasons-best by about half a second," said Dupont. "I am happy and looking forward to the final tomorrow."

In the T54 wheelchair classification Saskatoon's Keira-Lyn Frie advanced to the 200-metres final placing third in her heat in 31.82 seconds.

Alister McQueen of Calgary finished fourth in his T44 ambulatory 200-metres semifinal. In a fast heat, Alister registered 23.84 seconds to qualify into Sunday's final.

"It feels good to be through to the final," said Alister. "In London last year I ended up finishing ninth and missed the final by three hundredths of a second. To know that I get that extra race tomorrow and to go for a medal is very exciting."

Diane Roy, also of Sherbrooke, qualified to the T54 5,000-metres final on Sunday by placing fourth in her heat in 12:09.20.