Some of the world’s top wheelchair basketball players are competing in Ottawa this week, as the capital hosts the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. More than 300 athletes from around the world are taking part in the tournament, with men’s and women’s teams competing across the city. For Ottawa resident Andrew Caudwell, the event offered a chance to introduce his children to a different side of sport. “It was honestly something to check out with the kids,” Caudwell said. “We thought that to give them an opportunity to be exposed to not only able-bodied sport, but also para sport.” Caudwell said his background in high-performance sport made the opportunity especially meaningful. “Para sport sometimes doesn’t get the respect and the opportunity for exposure that it deserves,” he said. “So, I thought, hey, get the kids involved.” Wheelchair Basketball Canada CEO Wendy Gittens says hosting an event of this size gives Canadian athletes a rare opportunity to compete on home soil while also showcasing the sport to a wider audience. “There’s 28 teams from all over the world. We have 19 nations represented, it’s men and women, 16 men, 12 women’s teams, 336 athletes. It’s over 400 volunteers, it’s a massive event,” Gittens said. Gittens said Canada does not often get the chance to host international para sport events of this scale. “It’s an opportunity for us to showcase the sport, showcase the athletes and the athleticism of the sport, and just create more awareness,” she said. She says wheelchair basketball can also help change perceptions around disability. “These are athletes first and foremost, and this is sport first,” Gittens said. The championship is being supported by hundreds of volunteers. Volunteer lead Susan Sloan says approximately 500 people are helping with roles ranging from accreditation and volunteer services to equipment management and on-court technical duties. “They are the lifeblood of this entire championship,” Sloan said. She said volunteers have travelled from across Canada to help with the event, committing their own time and resources to Ottawa. “The energy, the time, the support, the commitment, their skill sets, all the things that they bring to this event only amplify the experience for them and for the athletes.” Sloan said. On the court, wheelchair basketball also comes with its own unique strategy. Team USA player Bailey Moody says athletes are assigned classification points based on their level of function, with teams limited to a combined 14 points among the five players on the court. “The more function you have, the higher your point is,” Moody said. “When you put your five players on the floor, you could only have 14 points on the court at a time.” She said the system adds another layer of strategy when teams build their lineups. Moody also said representing the United States at a world championship is not something she takes for granted. “It always means a lot,” she said. “Every time we put that jersey on our chest, we remember that as a team, and we do a good job of respecting that. It’s an honour.” For Team Canada point guard Cindy Ouelett, playing a world championship on home soil has added meaning. “It pretty much means everything,” Ouelett said. “When you look up, yes the flag is there, but also your family and friends are there to support you and not watching you on a screen.” Ouelett said the level of competition is high, with several teams capable of making a deep run. “The level is really strong,” she said. “On any given day, you can be a winner or loser.” She also hopes fans seeing wheelchair basketball for the first time come away with a better understanding of the speed and physicality of the sport. “Wheelchair basketball is pretty similar to stand-up basketball, except there’s a lot of contact,” Ouelett said. “The chairs are hitting each other. We fall, and it plays super-fast.” “People think, ‘Oh they’re in a wheelchair, so they go slower’. But it’s not true. I think once you watch basketball, you’ll be hooked for life.” Canada’s women improved to 3-0 Saturday with a 66-62 win over China. They are back in action Sunday afternoon against Brazil, while Canada’s men return to the court Monday. The 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships continue in Ottawa through next week, with games at TD Place and Carleton University.
