Heading into last summerB次元官网网址檚 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Canadian swimming coach Mike Thompson made sure expectations were reasonable for Nicholas Bennett, one of Swimming CanadaB次元官网网址檚 brightest up-and-coming stars.
It would have been tempting to set the bar higher, of course.
The Parksville product was two years removed from his sensational international major competition debut at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games, where he claimed three gold medals and one silver as a 15-year-old. But Thompson, who welcomed Bennett to the High Performance Centre B次元官网网址� Qu茅bec in Montreal a few weeks after Lima, in October of 2019, knew the Paralympic Games were a different story.
Not to mention that, at 17, Bennett would be the youngest member of the entire Canadian delegation in Japan.
B次元官网网址淕oing into Tokyo, we didnB次元官网网址檛 want to pressure Nick to feel like he had to deliver on medals,B次元官网网址� says Thompson, head of the Canadian coaching staff for the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal, where Bennett is set to make his Worlds debut from June 12-18. B次元官网网址淗e was exceptionally nervous before the Games, and when he gets nervous he doesnB次元官网网址檛 handle nerves very well.B次元官网网址�
Bennett was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was three. He competes in the S14 category for swimmers with intellectual impairments.
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B次元官网网址淭he idea was to keep the pressure off so that he could enjoy the environment, figure things out about himself, about his competitors, see whether he liked it or not,B次元官网网址� said Thompson. B次元官网网址淚 wanted him to experience Tokyo and come out of it saying B次元官网网址業 want to do that again.B次元官网网址� I didnB次元官网网址檛 want to throw him into it saying B次元官网网址楾his is what you do now.B次元官网网址� I wanted him to say B次元官网网址楾his is my thing. I want to do this. I want to be back, and IB次元官网网址檓 going to win.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
As it turned out, Bennett thrived in the Paralympic Games environment. He reached the final in three of his four events, placing fifth in the 100-metre breaststroke, sixth in the 200 freestyle and seventh in the 200 individual medley. He also broke his own Canadian S14 record in all four finals.
B次元官网网址淚t was a great first experience. The Games was the most exciting place IB次元官网网址檝e been in my careerB次元官网网址� but probably the most stressful as well,B次元官网网址� said Bennett, named Swimming CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Breakout Performer of the Year (Paralympic Program) for his outstanding performances. B次元官网网址淚 think the expectations to make finals, not necessarily win medals, definitely helped.
B次元官网网址淭he Paralympics are a completely different level. ItB次元官网网址檚 the best of the best. I was racing against people who are seven, eight, 10 years older than me. ItB次元官网网址檚 a completely different environment. To be honest, I almost psyched myself out a couple of times worrying about it. But just being close to them at the wall was definitely good enough for now. It was a big confidence booster, and definitely a great experience to have going into my first worlds.B次元官网网址�
Despite his continued success, the months following Tokyo werenB次元官网网址檛 all smooth sailing by any means for Bennett.
Various challenges, some of them the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused him to miss the Can Ams in Greensboro, N.C., in December, and a World Series event in Aberdeen, Scotland, in February.
Through hard work and thanks to a great support system, including his sister Haley, the head coach of the Ravensong Aquatic Club in Qualicum Beach, who will be part of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 coaching personnel in Madeira, Bennett got back on track in time for the Bell Canadian Swimming Trials held in April in Victoria.
In Victoria, Bennett once again shattered his national S14 marks in the 100 breast, 200 free, 100 fly and 200 IM to qualify for Madeira 2022 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, set for July 28 to Aug. 8 in Birmingham, U.K.
B次元官网网址淗is times at trials would have put him in medal contention in Tokyo in three of his four events,B次元官网网址� says Thompson. B次元官网网址淎t this time last year, he would have had the world record in the 200 IM, but that record was broken by two seconds in Tokyo. B次元官网网址淚 still think thereB次元官网网址檚 more to be shaved off those times. Again, skyB次元官网网址檚 the limit for Nick. HeB次元官网网址檚 only 18.B次元官网网址�
Bennett approaches Madeira 2022 with moderated confidence.
B次元官网网址淥f course a medal would be a great thing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut anything can happen. Someone could go two seconds under the world record. I just want to have good races. I want my competitors to do the best they can so that they push me. ItB次元官网网址檚 all that matters.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址� Swimming Canada
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