Input from veterans “crucial” for Para swimming head coach Martin Gingras

PARIS – Katarina Roxon, Aurélie Rivard and Nicolas-Guy Turbide were named captains of Canada’s Para swimming team for a very good reason, says the squad’s head coach Martin Gingras.

“Our captains were selected by their peers, and they bring a lot of experience,” said Gingras. “We wanted the captains to be a bridge between athletes and staff and help with a better environment to make sure all angles are covered in the last preparations.”

That plan seems to be effective based on the enthusiasm of Gingras and his veteran trio.

The Canadian Para swimming team produced its best world championships in many years in 2023 with 19 medals. The coaching staff wanted to make sure that momentum carried over to Paris. There are 15 members on the Paralympic team from the 2023 worlds.

“Their contribution was crucial to our Games preparation,” said Gingras about the three captains. “We held meetings every day and we had fun activities such as celebrating a swimmer of the day after each training session.

“There were a lot of smiles in training and our coaching staff said they’ve seen improvements they’ve never seen before which should lead us to amazing performances.”

The transition of athletes in Canadian Para swimming appears to be a tradition. Rivard pointed out that when she competed at her first two Games in 2012 and 2016, 20-time Paralympic medallist Benoit Huot was a mentor and a major influence throughout her career.

Roxon, from Kippens, N.L., was 15 in her Games debut in 2008 and the squad included Canada’s most successful female Para swimmer Stephanie Dixon and Chelsey Gotell, both strong presences in the Paralympic Movement.

Roxon is headed to her fifth Games, a record for Canadian female Para swimmers.  

‘’I’ve been doing this a long time and one of the biggest reasons I keep competing is the people I’m surrounded by,’’ said Roxon, a gold medallist in the SB8 women’s 100-m breaststroke at the Rio 2016 Games. ‘’I’ve met so many of my best friends through this sport. It’s a great environment and it’s been great to get new perspectives from our staff leading into the Games.’’

For Rivard the years of competition has changed her outlook in regards to results.

‘’It’s been a different Games preparation for me,” said Rivard, a law student at Université Laval. ‘’I learned from the pandemic that it was important to focus on myself and what I can control.

‘’I’ve learned to let go of the outcome and really focus on the process, the preparation and focus on my times.’’

Joining Gingras on the pool deck in Paris will be group coaches Ryan Allen (Club de natation Bleu et Or), Haley Bennett-Osborne (Red Deer Catalina Swim Club), Simon Deguire (High Performance Centre – Quebec), Ryan Jones (Saskatoon Laser Swim Club), Jy Lawrence (Pacific Sea Wolves) and Marc-André Pelletier (Club de natation Région de Québec).

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