Canada have set a target of finishing in the top 16 at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) has set a goal of a top-16 finish in the medal standings at Rio 2016.

This goal was established following discussions with Own the Podium and assessment of national sport organisations’ medal predictions.

“We are confident in our member national sport organisations, athletes and coaches that they will leave no stone unturned and their hard work will pay off,” said Catherine Gosselin-Després, the CPC executive director for sport.

“It is harder now, more than ever, to make it on to the Paralympic podium because there are more sports and nations that are competitive, and the depth of field is emerging at a rapid rate.

“Such a tight depth of field will bring unprecedented drama and excitement of Paralympic sport competition to Canadian fans, and will keep them on the edge of their seats cheering for our athletes.”

Canada is aiming to bounce back from London 2012, when they finished only 20th in the overall medals table.

It was their worst performance since making their debut in the Paralympic Games at Tel Aviv in 1968.

The team won a total of 31 medals at London 2012, seven of them gold.

The performance marked a big downturn in fortunes having finished among at least the top seven in the previous 10 editions of the Games.

Canada won the gold medal in the wheelchair basketball at London 2012 but slipped to 20th overall in the medals table, their worst-ever performance ©Getty Images
Canada won the gold medal in the wheelchair basketball at London 2012 but slipped to 20th overall in the medals table, their worst-ever performance ©Getty Images

The high had come in 1984 when they had won a total of 238 medals, including 87 gold, when the Paralympics were held jointly in New York State and Stoke Mandeville.

Since Sydney 2000, however, when they finished third overall with 96 medals, 38 of them gold, their total has been declining.

At Athens 2004 they won 72 medals, 28 of them gold, to maintain their place as the third-best ranked nation.

Four years later in Beijing they slipped to seventh place with 50 medals, 19 of them gold. 

The CPC target for Rio 2016 is based on recent results, rankings and its current pool of athletes. 

“Canada has set a lofty target for 2016, but we believe Team Canada are fully prepared and ready to be in the battle for medals,” said Anne Merklinger, the chief executive of Own the Podium.

“The rest of the world is not standing still and the performance bar is constantly being raised.

“Along with our partners, we have remained focused to deliver the tools and resources our nation’s top Paralympic athletes require to achieve these goals.”