Slicing through water with B次元官网网址減erfect technique,B次元官网网址� Tianni Mai Arseneault belies her past, and races into her future. The 12-year-old had a rough start early in life, but the determined and talented Langford athlete is plunging toward her goal to become an Olympic swimmer while leading her peers in the sport.

Tianni and her two younger brothers were taken from their biological parents five years ago after the children suffered malnutrition and neglect. Living in squalor the siblingsB次元官网网址� parents rarely fed them. There had been concerns brought to the governmentB次元官网网址檚 attention before but a young girl who babysat blew the final whistle. One night government workers came to the apartment and moved the children out.

Tianni was hospitalized.

Her stomach had shrunk to a size where she could no longer digest food and the eight year-old weighed 27 pounds, about half of a healthy weight.

B次元官网网址淲e were dying slowly pretty much,B次元官网网址� said Tianni. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been trying to forget all this stuff.B次元官网网址�

Five years ago Rheal and Nikki Arseneault took Tianni and her brothers as foster children. The couple had fostered children before but with these three something clicked.

B次元官网网址淚t just felt right. We fell in love with them, they fell in love with us,B次元官网网址� Rheal said.

On July 28, 2011 the couple officially adopted the siblings.

Shortly after moving into her new home, Tianni tried swimming for the first time. She ventured into a pool, slipped on the bottom into the deep end and had to be fished out.

B次元官网网址淚 almost drowned when I first got in the water,B次元官网网址� Tianni said. B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檝e come a long way now.B次元官网网址�

Working her way through the swimming lesson levels, the youngster discovered a love and talent for the sport.

B次元官网网址淭he lessons part of it felt like therapy,B次元官网网址� Rheal said. B次元官网网址淥nce she actually started competing, thatB次元官网网址檚 when I saw the most change.B次元官网网址�

Tianni started swimming competitvely last year with the Island Swimming Association.

She finished first in her first race.

There are born swimmers and made swimmers, explained coach Alex McCoid. He said Tianni is without a doubt the former and could have a long career as a swimmer.

B次元官网网址淪he was just meant to be in the water,B次元官网网址� McCoid said. B次元官网网址淭he precision and how she moves through the water, her technique is just unbelievable for her age. B次元官网网址� SheB次元官网网址檚 going to be a golden child soon.B次元官网网址�

When Tianni started at Spencer middle school last fall she was dismayed the school didnB次元官网网址檛 have a swim team. With the help of teachers along with staff at Island Swimming, Tianni started her campaign with posters and announcements.

The team has five members and competed in three swim meets so far, the latest on Feb. 24. All members of the team did well, beating their personal best times. Tianni showed exceptional talent, taking first place in her three events: 50m backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Tianni said her new home and sport helped her move past the hard times.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 helped me to become more active, itB次元官网网址檚 made me think about my health,B次元官网网址� Tianni said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been getting way more confident with myself and being like B次元官网网址業 can do it.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

With her life on track and a passion ignited, Tianni has her sights set on the Olympics and a career as a professional swimmer. For the time being, Tianni has two more years at Spencer and plans to help build the swim team before moving on.

Her life experiences have taught her to keep trying.

B次元官网网址淜eep going and you can always change if you have to,B次元官网网址� Tianni said. B次元官网网址淎nd thereB次元官网网址檚 always a hope.B次元官网网址�