Renee Foessel is an established Canadian Paralympic thrower who has excelled on the world stage in para athletics, particularly in the F38 discus throw classification. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy with right hemiplegia, which mildly affects the coordination and strength on the right side of her body. Foessel first stepped into track and field at nine years old and quickly showed promise in the throwing events, including discus, shot put, and javelin. From 2006 to 2008, she proudly served as a Friends of We Care Ambassador, sharing her story and advocating for children with physical disabilities.

Foessel’s international career began early; at just 16 years old, she was the youngest Canadian at the 2011 IPC World Championships. Over the years, she has become a consistent podium contender. At the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, she earned a full set of medals—gold in discus, silver in shot put, and bronze in javelin. She went on to win bronze medals at the 2015 and 2019 World Para Athletics Championships, followed by a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships.

In June 2021, Foessel set a world record in the F38 discus with a throw of 37.83 metres, which also stands as the Canadian record.

She secured fourth-place finishes at both the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and finished sixth at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Off the field, Foessel earned a Diploma in Community and Justice Services before bridging into a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Criminal Justice at Humber College. She continues to pursue excellence both professionally and athletically, working full-time with her local police service while competing as a member of Team Canada and pursuing the 2028 Paralympic Games.