Island swimmer Bennett caps Paralympics as Canada’s flag bearer
Twenty-seven days after goldmedallists, hammer-thrower Ethan Katzberg of Nanaimo and swimmer Summer McIntosh of Toronto did the same in the 2024 Olympics, swimmer Nicholas Bennett of Parksville and canoeist Brianna Hennessy of Ottawa carried the Canadian flag into the Paralympics closing ceremony Sunday at the Stade de France to conclude a remarkable summer of sport in Paris.
Because of their very nature, the Paralympics can’t help but strike an emotional chord. The shoutouts are many and varied as Canadian athletes, including an eight-medal Island contingent, return home following Canada’s 12th place in the table with 29 medals, including 10 golds.
“What a summer. Huge congratulations to our Canadian Paralympic athletes. You inspired us, and you you gave us all something to cheer for every day. Now come home so we can celebrate with you,” posted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on X.
Canada improved from its 21 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and matched its 29 from Rio 2016. The 10 gold, with five won by Island athletes including two by Bennett, were the most since Beijing in 2008.
The Vancouver Canucks of the NHL recognized the province’s athletes, which included the Island’s outsized contribution, on X: “Congratulations to all of the Team Canada Paralympians, including athletes from B.C., for an inspiring performance at the Paris Paralympics. Your courage, bravery, and athleticism know no bounds. We marvel in your leadership and example: proof that perseverance and hard work can lead to success on the biggest stage. Thank you for representing our great nation. We are tremendously proud of you.”
According to Victoria-based Canadian Sports InstitutePacific, 31 per cent of the Canadian team athletes in the Paris Paralympics had connections to B.C. by either hailing from the province or training here and they won 45 per cent of the Canadian medals.
Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said in a statement: “B.C. athletes shone brightly under the global spotlight contributing to defining moments such as Parkville’s Nicholas Bennett scoring Team Canada’s first gold medal and representing the pride of our nation as one of the flag bearers at the closing ceremony. The performance of B.C. and Team Canada athletes proves what is possible in sport and will inspire generations to dream without limits.”
Bennett tied with fellowswimmer Aurelie Rivard for the most Canadian medals with three. Bennett, who lives with autism, and Victoria wheelchair racer Cody Fournie, who broke his neck after being run over by a truck at age 11 in Kamloops, had the most Canadian gold medals with two each. Victoria-based wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk had the other Island-associated gold medal to make it five and account for half of Canada’s total of 10 golds. The native of Oakville, Ont., also won a bronze medal in Paris racing in a wheelchair designed by the Camosun Innovates program of the Camosun College applied research department. Runner Nate Riech of Victoria, who suffered partial paralysis after being hit by an errant golf ball in Arizona at age 10, and swimmer Bennett won silver medals.
The Paris Paralympics were a triumph for the Western Hub national middle-distance centre on the PISE track at the Camosun College Interurban campus, where Smeenk, Fournie and Riech train. Cyclist Mel Pemble of Victoria, a rare Summer and Winter Paralympian, had a fourth-place finish in the Paris veldodrome.
Bennett, in a statement, described being the closing ceremony Canadian co-flagbearer: “A monumental occasion. Being able to hold the flag and represent all the athletes that have competed is just another level of amazement for me that I have been able to achieve at these Paralympics.”
Bennett, who began swimming at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach, is only 20 and plans to be heard from again at Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.