2016 RIO PARALYMPIC GAMES
- Wednesday, September 7 – Sunday, September 18, 2016
- Swimming: Thursday, September 8 – Saturday, September 17, 2016
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Prelims 9:30 AM / Finals 5:30 PM (local time)
- IPC World Records
- Live stream links: NBC / IPC
- Schedule/Results
Canadian swimmer Benoit Huot claimed his 20th career Paralympic medal on Thursday evening – a bronze in the men’s 400 free.
Huot is one of 20-or-so Paralympians to do so (the Paralympics tend to have higher individual medal counts than the Olympics), with all parties chasing American Trischa Zorn and her incredible 55 swimming medals earned from 1980-2004.
His post-race comments on Thursday were more positive than they were after the 200 IM earlier in the meet, where he feared he might never win another medal due to the surge of success from a trio of new-comers from Ukraine.
“I would have written a Hollywood script to try to finish on that note and I don’t think it would be possible,” Huot said. “It’s like a dream come true and I can leave in peace with number 20 in the pocket.
“I was on my balcony in the [athletes] village every day getting the sun and the air and the nice view of the lagoon and I was telling myself, ‘How lucky you are to be here and to live this after so many years again.’ I just feel like a little kid again and the magic is back.”
Huot finished 3rd behind two of those controversial swimmers, Maksym Krypak and Denys Dubrov,
The 32-year old Huot will have one more chance in Rio to win a medal when he swims on Saturday as part of Canada’s 34-point 400 medley relay. If the team made the podium there (which would be a tall task after they placed 7th and last in the 400 free relay earlier in the meet), Huot would tie a trio of Canada’s best who are all sitting on 21 career medals – swimmer Michael Edgson, track & field’s Chantal Petitclerc, and swimmer Timothy McIsaac.
Benoit has always been a credit to the sport. He is the role model we need for all of our swimmers, athletes, and people… regardless of their country or sport. He is always the gentleman, in victory or defeat. I hope he continues in the sport for the benefit of all.
Agreed! Well said. Very happy for him! Congrats Benoit!
What a guy! His post race interview was beautiful.