Paralympic gold medal swimmer Nicholas Bennett, of Parksville, has been on the go since taking home three medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, but he's coming home to the Island next week for a celebration ceremony planned by his old swim club.
Nicholas Bennett gold medal ceremony in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke SB14 Final at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France on September 2, 2024. // Nicholas Bennett cérémonie de médaille d'or lors de la finale du 100 m brasse masculin SB14 aux Jeux paralympiques de 2024 à Paris, France, le 2 septembre 2024.
“We are proud and honoured that Nicholas represents the City of Parksville on the world stage and is a role model and inspiration to so many,” said Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien in a statement. “We acknowledge the dedication and persistence, as well as the sacrifices made by Nicholas and his family which allow Nicholas to reach these unbelievable accomplishments.
“We started water therapy with him at a very young age,” Shawn said. But as for continuing with swimming, the motivation came from an older sibling. “He had difficulties competing at seven. I want to say he wasn’t terribly coordinated, it was just perseverance on his end and that continued and he got better and better. By the time he was 14 he realized it was a sport he wanted to pursue.”By age 16, he won three golds and a silver at the ParaPanAmerican Games.Nicholas was invited to train in Montreal in 2018, and continued until the pandemic shut that down in 2020.
“It was almost surreal to be truthful,” said Shawn. “We just couldn’t even believe we were there. Stadium full of people.”‘Monumental’: Island’s own gold Paralympic medalist Nicholas Bennett Canada’s flag bearer at closing ceremony
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