Rivard, Roxon, Turbide named captains for Canada’s Para swimming team

OTTAWA – Aurélie Rivard, Katarina Roxon and Nicolas-Guy Turbide were named captains for Canada’s 22-member Paralympic Games Para swimming team on Thursday.

Roxon of Kippens, N.L. is the longest-serving member of the team. She’ll be making history in Paris by competing in her fifth Games, the most ever by a Canadian female Para swimmer.

“I’m truly humbled to be named as one of the team captains heading into my fifth Paralympic Games,” said Roxon, the 2016 Paralympic champion in the 100-m breaststroke SB8. “I’m honoured that my teammates have put their faith and trust in me, placing me in this position to co-lead the team into and through Paris 2024.”

Turbide, of Quebec City, made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016.

“It’s an honour to be named by my teammates,” said the two-time Paralympic medallist in the 100 backstroke S13. “I had the chance to have tremendous mentors on the team when I first started, who did everything they could to help me and made me feel like I was part of the family from day one.

“That was probably the best thing that happened to me early in my career, and now to have the chance to do that for my teammates, especially the younger generation, is the best thing I can think of.”

Rivard of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. has captured 10 medals and five titles across three previous Paralympic Games appearances.

The trio will lead a 22-member team (12 Games veterans and 10 rookies) nominated after the trials this past May in Toronto.

Para swimming races in Paris will run from Aug. 29-Sept. 7 at La Défense Arena.

Swimming Canada also named its complete staff for the Games headed by team leader J-P Lavoie.