The event, held in Vicotria, was attended by around 47 athletes and tested their capacity for sport performance.

Of those participants, 15 were tested against Paralympic standards using specialised equipment and they will be evaluated to see whether they should undertake a follow-up assessment.

They may also be selected by Canadian Sport Institute Pacific's NextGen Programs and could be chosen to be a part of the Canadian Sport School.

The event attracted a host of top Canadian names, including 2012 Olympic Games track cycling bronze medallist Gillian Carleton, who gave an inspirational keynote speech to the various attendees.

The Podium Search scheme was hailed by Kurt Innes, director of talent development with the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, who was part of the Canadian track cycling team at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

“It was fantastic to see so many athletes with a disability engaged this year,” he said.

“I would like to thank the Canadian Paralympic Committee for their outstanding support.

“Over the past four years we have tested over 300 athletes and to date we have identified three athletes who have what it takes.”

The Podium Search initiative is described as a free, half-day identification camp and included the vertical jump test and a 30 metres sprint run as well as other field tests.

The next event is due to take place from September 19 in Whistler and more details can be found here.

Related stories
April 2015: Canadian Paralympic Committee welcomes increased Government funding for next generation of sports stars
January 2015: Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees launch funding agreement with Canadian Sports Institute Network