Eight Para swimmers named to 2022 Commonwealth Games team

Rivard, Turbide headline star-studded group
Rivard

OTTAWA – Aurélie Rivard and Nicolas-Guy Turbide were among eight Para swimmers named by Swimming Canada and Commonwealth Sport Canada for the 2022 Commonwealth Games set for Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8.

Para sport has been integrated in the Games since 1994 in Victoria.

“I’m excited to be able to represent Canada at my third Commonwealth Games,” said Rivard, a 10-time Paralympic Games medallist. The 25-year-old from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. took silver in 2018 and bronze in 2014.

“It’s always a privilege to train and race next to our Olympic program competitors and witness some amazing races from Canadian swimmers as both of our teams come together.”

Also returning to the Games are Gold Coast 2018 medallist Philippe Vachon of Blainville, Que. and Katarina Roxon of Kippens, N.L., making her fourth appearance.

Rounding out the squad are Quebec City’s Turbide, a backstroke medallist at the last two Paralympics, Nicholas Bennett of Parksville, B.C., Camille Bérubé of Gatineau, Que., Alexander Elliot of Kitchener, Ont., and Danielle Kisser of Delta, B.C.

The Para swimmers are all part of the 31-member Canadian swim team announced for the Games which includes Olympic stars Penny Oleksiak, Kylie Masse and Summer McIntosh.

“It’s exciting to have some of our best Paralympic program swimmers alongside our Olympic program team for these unique Games,’’ said Swimming Canada Associate High Performance Director and National Para Swimming Coach Wayne Lomas.  

‘’The Commonwealth Games offers some of our very best swimmers to showcase their excellence in an integrated multi-sport event. Our Canadian team is fortunate to have Olympic and Paralympic champions training, living and racing together.’’

The Para swimmers will be a finely tuned machine at the Commonwealth Games. In June, the World Para Swimming Championships are in Portugal.

‘’Now that we have our team in place, we can focus on delivering the best possible results for Canada,’’ added Lomas.

Birmingham 2022 will feature 19 sports and eight Para sports as part of its program with up to 4,500 athletes taking part, including the largest Para sport program ever at the Commonwealth Games.