Charlottetown's Amy Burk heading to Rio for Paralympics - Action News
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Charlottetown's Amy Burk heading to Rio for Paralympics

Charlottetown's Amy Burk is heading to her third Paralympic Games in Rio. She says her goalball team is an underdog, but has a chance at a medal.

Burk says she was a little bit shocked and hurt by budget cuts to games

Charlottetown's Amy Burk is heading to the Paralympic Games in Rio at the end of the month. (Submitted)

As a veteran and a leader, Amy Burk knows what to expect going into her third Paralympics in Rio.

And, even though Canada's goalball team is an underdog, Charlottetown's Burk said "the other teams better watch out."

"It's going to be a nice fight to the podium. Our team knows what we need to do to medal. And, I think everyone has put in the dedication and time that we need," said Burk on CBC News: Compass.

Budget cuts

Burk participated in the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. But budget cuts to the Paralympics involving a sport venue closing, cuts to transport services and fewer workers threatened the games.

But the games are going ahead.Even so, Burk said she was a little bit surprised and hurt by the budget cuts.

"We've been spending so much time trying to promote the Paralympic movement, trying to show people around the world that disabled sports is just as hardworking [and] demanding as able bodied sports. And then you see money just getting cut," she said. "It kind of makes you wonder if we are really being taken seriously."

With files from CBC News: Compass