Nicholas Bennett. (Supplied/@TimeOutWithTheTwins)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

SWIMMING CANADA

Locally trained Nicholas Bennett named Male Swimmer of the Year – Paralympic Program

Dec 4, 2024 | 11:25 AM

Swimming Canada has named Nicholas Bennett, who trains in Red Deer, as its Male Swimmer of the Year – Paralympic Program for his second year-in-a-row.

He was first honoured with the title last year after he became a world champion for the first time. Originally from Parksville, B.C., Bennett left the competition behind this season in an impressive performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where he secured three medals, including the first Paralympic titles of his career.

“It’s an absolute honour to receive this award once again,” said Bennett, who turned 21 in mid-November. “It just shows what hard work and determination can lead to.”

In Paris, Bennett competed in the S14 class and triumphed in the 100 m breaststroke and 200 individual medley, and took a second place finish in the 200 freestyle.

His time of 2:06.05 in the 200 IM set a Paralympic record, while his time of 1:53.61 in the 200 free lowered his Canadian standard.

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As the only Canadian Para swimmer to win two gold medals while in France, Bennett had an opportunity to act as one of the Canadian flag bearers for the closing ceremonies.

Swimming Canada officials say he also became the first Canadian male swimmer to win a Paralympic title since 2012, the first to capture multiple gold medals at a single Games since 2004, and the first to reach the podium three times since 2012.

“You always dream about those kinds of moments but you never really expect them to come,” said Bennett, when asked if the full scope of his accomplishments had entirely sunk in. “Every time I look in the mirror, I just see myself. It’s kind of weird sometimes to think that those monumental accomplishments happened. I still have a hard time believing it.”

Among the various accolades awarded to Bennett following his Paralympic performance, he said a phone call from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood out in his memory.

“It was a little strange… but in a good way,” he chuckled. “Having the leader of your country call you, and know all about what you did, it was strange for me but it felt amazing to be recognized at that level.”

Bennett trains at the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club and is coached by his older sister, Haley Bennett-Osborne, who had the opportunity to see him compete firsthand in Paris as a member of the Canadian coaching staff.

“I’m super proud of how he performed,” said the 2024 Canadian Coach of the Year – Paralympic Program. “The Games is such a big event. Looking back, especially considering how much emotion and how much stress was attached to the whole experience, he did very, very well.”

Bennett made his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 where, at only 17, he made three finals while setting Canadian records in each of the four events he competed in.

The pair thought Bennett’s best shot at reaching the podium in Paris was in the 200 IM, as Bennett had set the world record of 2:05.97 last May at the Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials. That race ended up being his second gold medal swim in Paris, taking place on day seven.

Two days earlier, he had surprised his coach and himself in the 100 breast final, where he outraced world record holder Naohide Yamaguchi, of Japan, the defending Paralympic champion and reigning three time world titlist in the event.

“The 100 breast… that was one we weren’t expecting at all. It was kind of a surprise,” said Bennett-Osborne.

Bennett added, “Both (gold medals) are very special but the 100 breast was just so unexpected. We had been working on that event the entire year leading up to Paris. The only reason we won it is we put in the work. We wanted the last 25 metres to be the strongest part of my race, and it worked.”

During the Paralympic final, the Canadian was in third at the halfway mark before changing gears to win in 1:03.98 ahead of Australia’s Jake Michel (1:04.27) and Yamaguchi (1:04.94).

Following such successful Paralympic campaigns in Tokyo and Paris, the brother-sister duo is setting their sights on the next Paralympic cycle.

“A few months after, you kind of reflect, and see if this is something Nick wants to do again,” said Bennett-Osborne. “So the first thing was, we had to talk about that. And he does. He’s really excited to get back into it.”

The team shared what their expectations are leading up to the 2025 world championships in Singapore, and possibly the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.

“Maybe three gold medals next time,” Bennett said with a laugh. “Seriously, keep building off our strengths and refine what isn’t as good. Keep hammering down just like we did during the last cycle, and we’ll see what happens.”

Coach Bennett-Osborne said she is fully confident in her brother’s abilities, but issued a word of caution.

“The Paralympic movement keeps growing, it gets more competitive every year. We have to keep that in mind. We can’t just focus on ‘OK, in LA, instead of winning two gold medals, we’re going to win three.’ Because you can’t control anything outside of yourself, outside of the country,” she said. “I think it needs to be more focused on ‘How do I get better?’ and we’ll see where he’s at in four years.”