One of Canada’s most decorated Paralympic swimmers, Kirby Cote’s impact on Canadian disability sports continues to be profound. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1984, Kirby comes from an active family. Her parents wanted her to be involved in sports, and upon a recommendation made by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), she tried swimming for the first time at the age of seven.
 
Between 2000 and 2008, she represented Canada at three Paralympic Games, winning seven Gold Medals and six Silver Medals. Making her first Paralympic appearance in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, Kirby set new world record times with Gold Medal performances in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley. She also captured Silver Medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle. At the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, she won an astonishing seven medals, tallying Gold in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 200m individual medley, and Silver in the 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke. Bringing her competitive career to a triumphant close at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, Kirby was part of two Canadian podium sweeps, claiming a pair of Silver Medals in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley.
 
Using her athletic successes as a platform for change and a way to give back to the community that supported her, Kirby Cote passionately champions grassroots, accessible sport and recreation. In 2018, she helped found Accessible Sports Connection Manitoba (ASC MB) where she now acts as executive director. ASC Manitoba believes everyone should have access to physical activity in their communities and alongside their friends and family. In 2022 and 2024, Kirby spearheaded the organization of the groundbreaking Accessible Sports Expo in Manitoba, offering over 500 participants the opportunity to learn about and try a wide range of adaptive sports and connect with their peers.
 
Even in retirement, Kirby Cote’s commitment to advancing accessible sport and recreation remains unwavering. She has successfully navigated systemic barriers to become a catalyst for change, fearlessly voicing concerns in challenging situations. Her work with non-profit organizations like Winnipeg Trails and the Vision Impaired Resource Network has led to the implementation of numerous initiatives, improving the quality of life for underserved populations and promoting social inclusivity and active living. Balancing her transformative advocacy with a career as a remedial massage therapist, Kirby has also pursued a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Winnipeg. Her post-retirement pursuits include earning a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a green belt in Judo, a testament to her unyielding spirit and commitment to personal growth. Kirby’s journey is fueled by a compassionate understanding that every successful athlete is a person who deserves an equal opportunity to nurture their dreams.

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