ST JOHN'S - Many of the 4,000 plus athletes competing at the Canada Games will go to sleep on Wednesday dreaming of the Olympics but not Team Quebec's double gold para cyclist Joseph Vachon, who has ruled the roads in St. John's.

The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games are an enticing goal for the 27-year-old but not his dream. His dreams are about something else.

"The paralympics, it's not like  a dream but it's a good goal," said Vachon, the gold medal he just claimed in the men's para cycling road race on Wednesday hanging around his neck. "A dream for me would be to walk again.

"But if I can I'd like to see where this can take me."

Judging by his Canada Games results the sky would seem to be the limit for Vachon, particularly when you consider that he had never before sat in a para bike, never mind competed, until just last month.

Vachon announced his arrival with a gold medal effort in Monday's para cycle time trial then followed up with a dominating display in the road race coming home almost 10 minutes clear of Team Ontario silver medallist Daniel Bigu.

Just two months ago Vachon had never heard of para cycling but a chance meeting at the Ottawa marathon sparked interest in a young athlete searching for opportunities after a work accident two year's earlier had left him paralyzed.

"I did the half marathon in my wheelchair and I met another Quebecer there who did the marathon and he put me in contact with the Quebec Cycling Federation," recalled Vachon. "They contacted me and said they needed an athlete to go compete at the Canada Games.

"I am not one to turn down a challenge so I said, "Of course, let's go and by they way what is para cycling".

So, at the start of July on a loaner bike Vachon began training and suddenly found himself a member of Team Quebec preparing to march in the opening ceremony of the Canada Games.

"I like it. I love the challenge," smiled Vachon. "It's a good sport for me, because I love to go outside and I love to do really hard sports.

"I used to be a Muay Thai fighter before so I did a lot of martial arts and now in a wheelchair, it's hard to do.

"I love to push myself to the limit."

While Vachon's journey to the top of the podium sounds like a fairytale it has not been an easy road.

An arborist, Vachon's life changed when fell from a tree plunging 30-feet to the ground with a chainsaw hooked to him.

After the accident there was the struggle to come to grips with his new reality, depression and the physical and mental pain he tried to numb with drink before turning to sport.

"I'm not dead, so that's awesome," laughed Vachon. "I'm so happy to be alive.

"It's a miracle.

"A couple of months ago it was a hard time for me  and I started praying and trying to live right and then a lot of good people came into my life.

"Sport's just part of life but you know, family is more important."