Sebastian Massabie sets a new world record while claiming gold to top off a busy day in the pool for Canada

PARIS – Sebastian Massabie created maple leaf magic on Friday by setting a new world record in the Men’s 50M Freestyle S4 final on the way to earning Canada’s seventh gold modal in Paris. 

The 19-year-old, making his Paralympic debut, finished with a time of 35.61 seconds, swiping the top spot on the podium, and earning the best-ever time in the event in the process. 

Massabie was overjoyed with his performance following the race, culminating his Paris Paralympic Games experience.

“I feel really really happy, excited and proud of myself,” said Massabie after stepping off the podium, adding his thoughts on his first Games. “It was really wonderful, five stars. All of it, but mostly the races and the fans.”

Massabie, who already set a Paralympic record earlier in the day during his qualifying heat with a time of 36.95, never faltered. He got out to a commanding lead, and used his straight-line speed to take the gold by 1.24 seconds. 

When asked if he expected to cultivate a new record and earn gold in the process in Paris, his humility stood strong.

“Yes, probably not this year, but I’m really glad I got to.”

His finishing time outpaced the original world record set by Israel’s Ami Omer Dadaon, who finished 3rd in Friday’s event with a time of 37.11 seconds. Takayuki of Japan claimed silver with a time of 36.85 seconds.

Elsewhere in the pool, five of the ten Canadian para swimmers competing in the morning qualified in their respective heats, creating an eventful slate for their friends and family watching both in the stands and at home.

Alexander Elliot kicked off the finals carousel as he competed in the Men’s 100m backstroke S10 Finals, finishing 7th with a time of 1:04.85.

The Kitchener, Ontario native earned the final spot in the afternoon chase for a medal with his qualifying time of 1:04.41. In his third Paralympic Games, the 28-year-old has been active in the water, competing in 100m Freestyle, Butterfly, and Backstroke in the S10 category, competing in the finals for the latter two events. 

Friday’s finals race with Elliot’s tenth in his Paralympic Games experience, a stat he wasn’t aware of, alluding to his interest in enjoying the swim as much as he can.

“That’s a cool fact, I actually didn’t know that,” said Elliott after the race. “I come into each event hoping to have some fun. I have some fun in the morning then come back at night with a big smile on my face trying to improve my time going into the final and move up in spots as much as I can.

“Fortunately I moved up a spot. I think my race was better swam tonight in terms of the plan with my coach.”

He will finish his Paralympic Games on Saturday with one final chance at the podium as he gets set for the Men’s 200m Individual Medley SM10 Heats. 

On the women’s side, both Katie Cosgriffe and Aurelie Rivard were present in the 100m Backstroke – S10 Final. 

With all swimmers starting in the water for this style before pushing off the wall, the Canadians fell behind early. Cosgriffe, however, surged in the final stretch after the 50m split. The native of Burlington, Ontario increased her pace, fighting for the bronze position until touching the wall. 

The 18-year-old, already with a bronze medal to her name in the 100m Butterfly S10 earlier in the Games, ultimately couldn’t close the gap, finishing in fifth. Her time of 1:09.56 was only 0.12 seconds behind third place finisher Emeline Pierre of the host country France. 

Cosgriffe acknowledged that although her efforts weren’t enough to medal, she still emptied the tank.

“I just wanted to leave it all in the pool, and that’s exactly what I did,” said Cosgriffe following the face. “I gave it my all, it wasn’t quite enough, but it is what it is.” 

Cosgriffe will conclude her first Paralympic Games by competing in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley – SM10 heats on Saturday, with a final chance at another medal. 

She pointed to how it feels to swim next to Rivard and how it contributes to success. 

“She pushes me to be my best,” said Cosgriffe. “Being able to race beside each other, as much as I couldn’t see her, it’s always nice to be able to share a pool with her.” 

Rivard, already earning the podium gauntlet with a gold, silver, and bronze medal in these Games, finished eighth in her final event in Paris. 

Mary Jibb of Muskoka, Ontario took part in the Women’s 100M Butterfly – S9, having set the Canadian record for the 50m Butterfly at the ​​World Series event in Indianapolis earlier this year. 

Jibb, making her Paralympic Games debut in Paris, got out to a strong start, keeping pace for second place before hitting the 50m split, where the field began to open up. The 17-year-old wrapped up her final event of the Games in eighth place, posting a time of 1:13.60. 

After competing in three finals throughout four events, she sums up her time in Paris as surreal.

“I’m super ecstatic,” said Jibb by the pool. “Just even being in a final is a huge accomplishment for me. The experience is once in a lifetime.

“It’s absolutely incredible. Just even being here, I’m speechless. 

Hannah Ouellette, Arianna Hunsicker, Nicholas Bennett, Emma van Dyk, and Reid Maxwell also competed in individual para swimming heats earlier in the day, but were unable to post qualifying times for the afternoon finals.

Nine Canadians will be competing in the preliminary heats on Saturday morning, while the para swimming sport will wrap up for the red and white in the Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay in the afternoon.