Liam Stanley

Stanley was born on June 12, 1997, in Victoria, British Columbia. At birth, he suffered a stroke which left him weak on his right side.[1] Growing up, he attended Glenlyon Norfolk School, where he played soccer.[2]

In 2013, Stanley was honoured as Canadian Para Soccer Player of the Year after playing for the Canada national cerebral palsy football team in the Tournoi international and Intercontinental Cup.[3] The following year, Stanley qualified for the America Cup and was named Canadian Para Soccer Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.[4] He was later named to Team Canada's roster for the 2015 CP Football World Championships[5] and the 2015 Parapan American Games.[6]

After Team Canada failed to qualify for Brazil, he began to start training for track. Stanley eventually made his Paralympic debut during the 2016 Summer Paralympics, earning a silver medal in the Men's 1500 metres T37.[7] Stanley was later named to Canada's 2017 IFCPF CP Football World Championships team.[8]

Upon qualifying for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships men’s T38 800-metre final, Stanley set a new record for fastest time with 2 minutes and 5.89 seconds.[9] During the finals, Stanley took home a silver medal with a time of 4 minutes and 37.96 seconds during the Men's 1500 metres.[10] On May 16, 2018, Stanley was named 2017 Ambulatory Athlete of the Year by Athletics Canada.[11] He was also named Athlete of the Year with a disability by Sport BC.[12]

On September 26, 2019, Stanley was named to Team Canada's roster for the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships,[13] where he placed fifth in the men's 1500-metre T38 finals.[14]