City council is highlighting the athletic achievements of one of Barrie’s finest.
During last week’s council meeting, it awarded a certificate of recognition to Barrie Police Services information management clerk Renee Foessel for her efforts at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. “On behalf of city council: we’d like to congratulate you for all your dedication and achievements,” Mayor Alex Nuttall said.
“I really want to take a moment to thank the city of Barrie for all the support I’ve had,” Foessel said. “I’ve only lived here for five years, I don’t have any family [here], but I’ve learned to view this community as my home.”
The 29-year-old discus thrower, who was born with cerebral palsy and suffers from hemiplegia — weakness on one side of her body — placed sixth at the Paris Games with a 34.4 metre throw during the Sept. 6 final.
In her own opinion, this achievement would not have been possible without the efforts of community members. “I’m thankful for how the city of Barrie has come together to allow me to provide me training indoors when it has been very difficult for me to go to my training venue in Toronto.”
This isn’t the first time she has represented Canada on the world stage. She also represented Canada at the 2016 in Rio de Janiero and 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Since moving to Barrie, Foessel’s career has been on the upswing. In 2021, Foessel set a world record by throwing her discuss 37.83 metres. The record stood for three years, until it was beaten by South African paralympian Simone Kruger with a 38.70 meter throw last May. Kruger also claimed gold at the Paris Games with a 38.7 metre throw.
In 2023, Foessel placed second at the World Para Athletics Championships, which was also held in Paris. Later that year, she placed third at the Para Pan American Games in Santiago.
In 2015 also won gold at the Para Pan American Games in Toronto.
“Without that support and without the community being involved in my Paralympic journey, I know that I wouldn’t have been able to get the achievements I did at the games and the podium achievements last year.”
