In the News

Canada opens world para swimming championships with three medals

16 August 2010

Donovan Tildesley of Vancouver, Valerie Grand’Maison of Montreal and Chelsey Gotell of Antigonish, N.S., all reached the podium on Sunday to open the 2010 IPC (International Paralympic Committee) World Swimming Championships for swimmers with a disability.

In the women’s S13 category 200-metre individual medley for the visually impaired, Kelly Becherer of the U.S., won the gold medal in 2:30.32 with Grand’Maison second in 2:31.08 and Gotell third in 2:34.53.

‘’I was very excited about the race and went out too fast in the first 100-metres,’’ said Grand’Maison, 21, Canada’s most decorated athlete at the 2006 IPC worlds with seven medals including five gold. ‘’But it is good to see this is such a competitive event internationally. There have been a lot of changes and it is getting a lot faster.’’

In the men’s S11 200 IM for visually impaired, Vyktor Smirnov of Russia was the winner in 2:28.46 edging Tildesley in second who broke his Canadian record finishing in 2:29.25, his first sub 2:30 time. Keiichi Kimura of Japan was third in 2:34.19.

‘’I was going for the gold medal but still to get a best time at a big meet like this is very satisfying,’’ said Tildesley, 26, a three-time Paralympian. ‘’For me it’s huge to get off to such a good start, get the jitters out and know that I’m ready. Vyktor and I have a great rivalry and he was able to get me on the butterfly leg.’’

Other Canadian finalists were for the men: Benoit Huot of Montreal fourth in the S10 100 butterfly and Marc-Olivier Marchand of Montreal sixth in the S7 400 freestyle.

For the women, Summer Mortimer of Newmarket, Ont., was fifth in the S10 100 butterfly, Amber Thomas of Drayton Vally, Alta., fifth in the S11 200 IM and Maxime Valerie Olivier of Montreal was eighth in the S2 50 freestyle.

Canada is fielding a 31-member team for these championships which run until next Saturday.


For more information:
Martin Richard
Communications Director
Swimming Canada
t. 613.260.1348
c. 613.725.4339
skype: swimmingcanada-media 

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