Nicholas Bennett, a Paralympian from Vancouver Island, has been honored as Swimming Canada’s male Para Athlete of the Year. This year at the Paralympic Games, Bennett secured two gold medals, finishing first in both the S14 100-metre breaststroke and the 200-metre individual medley, where he established a new Paralympic record. Additionally, he earned a silver […]
Nicholas Bennett, a Paralympian from Vancouver Island, has been honored as Swimming Canada’s male Para Athlete of the Year.
This year at the Paralympic Games, Bennett secured two gold medals, finishing first in both the S14 100-metre breaststroke and the 200-metre individual medley, where he established a new Paralympic record. Additionally, he earned a silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle.
A resident of Parksville, Bennett was the sole Canadian Para swimmer to achieve two golds in Paris. He was also recognized as one of Canada’s flag bearers during the closing ceremony.
“You always envision moments like these, but you never genuinely expect them to materialize,” Bennett, who is 21, shares. “Whenever I gaze into the mirror, I merely see myself. It’s somewhat strange at times to consider that such significant accomplishments actually took place. I still find it difficult to accept.”
Bennett made history as the first Canadian male swimmer to claim a Paralympic title since 2012, the first to win multiple golds at a single Games since 2004, and the first to stand on the podium three times since 2012.
