TORONTO _ The fatigue is beginning to show after a long week of swimming but that didn’t stop the flow of gold medals for Canada’s swimmers at the 2015 Parapan American Games Wednesday.
Aurelie Rivard earned her fourth gold of the meet, Tess Routliffe won two races on the day and the men swept the S11-13 400-meter freestyle.
In the most anticipated race of the night Benoit Huot finished second in the S10 200-meter individual medley, while Alec Elliot was third.
It wasn’t the result Huot, who had won the 400-m freestyle the previous evening, wanted.
“I was favoured to get the gold,” said the native of Longueuil, Que., who was timed in two minutes, 14.32 seconds. “It wasn’t my greatest performance.
“I was tired after the race yesterday. It took a lot of energy out of me. I really had a hard time to recuperate, but it’s not an excuse. We train for that. I knew my big race was coming up today. It’s a learning process.”
Brazil’s Andre Brasil won in 2:12.22. That was a Parapan Games record but well off Huot’s world record of 2:10.01 set at the 2012 London Paralympics.
“I’m disappointed,” said Huot, who was born with club feet. “I have to congratulate Andre because he went the best time.”
Elliot, of Kitchener, Ont., took bronze in 2:17.45. Isaac Bouckley, of Montreal, was fourth in 2:22.38.
Canadian swimmers won 15 medals Wednesday (five gold, five silver, five bronze), bringing their total to 66 (18-27-21).
Brazil leads in the pool with 68 (24-20-24).
Rivard, of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., won the S9-10 200-m IM in a Parapan Games record 2:30.89 for her fifth medal. Katarina Roxon, of Kippens, NL, was second in 2:39.45.
The Parapan Ams follow last month’s IPC Swimming World Championships and the toil is beginning to show on Rivard.
“It’s been a long summer,” said the 19-year-old who was born without a left hand. “I’m getting tired.
“I’m still really happy with the race.”
It was a golden day for Routliffe who climbed on top of the podium twice while setting two Parapan records.
During the morning the 16-year-old from Caledon, Ont., won the S7 100-meter freestyle in 1:15.46 seconds. Teammate Sarah Mehain took silver in 1:19.48.
In the evening Routliffe won the S7 100-m breaststroke in 1:39.55 while Camille Berube, of Gatineau, Que., was third in 1:46.97.
Competing in her first multi-sport Games has been a learning curve for Routliffe.
“It gives me confidence to know I can perform under pressure,” she said. “Swim with the right mindset with all the distractions.”
After winning two silvers in backstroke, Devin Gotell won his first gold, leading a Canadian sweep of the S11-13 400-m freestyle. His time of 4:27.46 broke the Parapan record of 4:32.35 he set in the morning heats.
Gotell was pleased to finally reach the top of the podium in the race for the visually impaired.
“A couple of days ago I wasn’t feeling well, I became ill with a bit of a cold,” said the Montreal resident who won in 4:27.46. “I managed to bounce back from that and recovered tonight.
“It felt great to be able to come and do this. It was the icing on the cake.”
Nicolas Turbide, of Quebec City, was second in 4:28.68 while Tyler Mrak, of Aldergrove, B.C., took bronze in 4:43.09.
Justine Morrier, of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, won the S14 100-m breaststroke in 1:27.94. Placing third in the race for the intellectually challenged was Kirstie Kasko, of Okotoks, Alta., in 1:29.54.
Written on Morrier’s arm were the words: “For my family, for my team at home.”
“That’s why I won the gold,” she said.
Gordie Michie, of St. Thomas, Ont., was third in the men’s S14 100-m breast in 1:14.36. Maxime Rousselle, of St-Alexandre, Que., was fourth in 1:14.49 while Adam Rahier, of Surrey, B.C., was sixth in 1:18.67.
Jean-Michele Lavalliere earned his third silver with a time of 1:09.16 in the S7 100-m freestyle. The Montreal native, who has cerebral palsy, was the fourth fastest in qualifying.
“It’s all about the process,” he said. “It’s not a best time but I think it showed character.
“I was fourth coming into the race. I knew I was able to beat at least two guys. That’s all I did.”
The competition has attracted 228 athletes from 19 countries to the Parapan Am Aquatic Centre and Field House. For full results go to http://results.toronto2015.org/PRS/en/swimming/schedule-and-results.htm.
In other results:
_ Christian Daniel, Calgary, sixth in the S6 100-m freestyle in 1:18.12
_ Riley McLean, Vernon, fifth in the S1-4 50-m backstroke in a personal best 58.46 seconds.
_ Tammy Cunnington, Red Deer, Alta., fourth in the S1-4 50 backstroke in a personal best 1:11.87.
_ Valerie Drapeau, Longueuil, seventh in the S5 50-m freestyle in 1:02.53.
_ Daniel Murphy, Bedford, N.S., fifth in the S5 50-m freestyle in a personal best 42.15 seconds. Andrew Cooke, Penticton, B.C., sixth in a personal best 42.30.
Swimming news courtesy of Swimming Canada.
