This is a press release from SPORTCOM: Paranatation – Captains in Paris, Nicolas-Guy Turbide and Aurélie Rivard will never be far away The Olympic and Paralympic Games represent the pinnacle of sporting performance in the world. By bringing the world’s population together around physical activity, the Games allow millions of young people to dream, millions of teenagers to surpass themselves and millions of adults to motivate themselves. BougeBouge, in partnership with SportCom, would like to share some of the highlights of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in a variety of sports and athletes.
Montreal, August 22, 2024 (Sportcom) – Nicolas-Guy Turbide still remembers the words a certain Benoit Huot shared with him before he took to the water at his first Paralympic Games in 2016. Eight years later, the para-swimmer is hoping to have a similar impact as captain of the Canadian team in Paris.
“I was getting ready for the 100 m backstroke and Benoit came to see me, he was the last person I spoke to before the final. Just the words ‘you got this’, that’s all I needed at that moment to give my best,” Turbide recounted in a video conference. He finished third in the event.
The Quebecer was named captain by his peers, along with Aurélie Rivard and Katarina Roxon. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Roxon has been training in Quebec City for a year and will become the first Canadian female para-swimmer to compete in five Paralympic Games this summer.
“We were very happy to see that these three athletes had been chosen by the team,” said head coach Martin Gingras, who will be taking part in his first Paralympic Games in this position. The presence of a few veterans in his ranks was therefore very welcome in the run-up to the big event.
“The goal is to create a bridge between the athletes and the staff, to ensure a good environment. Their help has been crucial in covering all the angles in the final preparations for Paris. We can already recognise the good work they’ve done.”
There will be 12 veterans and 10 rookies representing Canada at the Paris La Défense Arena pool from August 29 to September 7.
“The first thing we can do is share our experience. When I was 14 and 15, I was extremely reassured by the older guys, their habits and watching them swim, seeing their confidence,” said Aurélie Rivard, who was quick to cite Benoit Huot as an example.
If I can do the same for the younger athletes, I’m really pleased,” added the 10-time Paralympic medallist, who will be taking part in her fourth Games. It’s quite an experience and it can be quite stressful to face the unknown. I’m going to be there for the team, celebrating the good times, making sure that everyone is comfortable and knows that they can be heard. We can guide them if they need it.
The predictions and medal targets have been avoided, but team manager Jean-Philippe Lavoie can still expect good performances given the recent successes of his protégés. The Canadian delegation shone at the World Championships in Manchester in 2023, amassing 19 medals, including 9 gold, its best haul since 2010.
These results have motivated the whole team over the past year. As captain, Nicolas-Guy Turbide’s main aim is to act as a catalyst once he arrives in the French capital.
“I’ve always valued surpassing myself above all else, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve been so successful over the years. I was able to eliminate anything that was out of my control. It takes several years to understand that as an athlete,” wisely pointed out the man who will be competing in the 50 m freestyle in the S13 category at his third Paralympic Games.
“We’ve had several mentors over the years who have guided us, motivated us and brought us to where we are today. It’s an honour to be nominated by our team-mates to represent this new generation of mentors. We’re going to be there for them,” he concluded.
In addition to Turbide and Rivard, Quebecers Philippe Vachon, Sabrina Duchesne and Clémence Paré will be watching out in Paris, as will Tess Routliffe, Alec Elliot, Arianna Hunsicker and Abi Tripp, all of whom train in Quebec.
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