Sarah Mailhot Sarah Mailhot

Sarah Mailhot returned to the national team for the first time since 2012 by qualifying for the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games. At the Speedo Can Am Para-swimming Championships, Mailhot reached four finals in the S8 category.

A back injury prevented Mailhot from reaching her goals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The injury forced her to miss the 100-metre backstroke but she displayed her determination by racing in two other events, highlighted by a 13th place finish in the 400-m freestyle.

Since 2009, Mailhot has competed at major international events. In 2009, it was the world short course championships, in 2010 the world championships and in 2011 the Pan Pacific Para-swimming Championships.

Mailhot started swimming at age 12. It wasn’t easy early on. She feels the key to her success are perseverance and confidence. Mailhot says swimming gives her a passion to always surpass herself.

One of her heroes is Chantal Petitclerc, Canada’s multi Paralympic champion in wheelchair racing and Chef de Mission for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Mailhot use to be a wheelchair racer and competed against Petitclerc. Mailhot was impressed by Petitclerc because she respected her competition and never talked down to anyone.