International Paralympic swimmer and Powell River native Adam Rahier travelled to Manchester, England this last week as the sole Canadian competitor at the BT Paralympic World Cup.
Rahier took bronze in 100-metre freestyle and silver in 100-metre backstroke, beating his personal best time at just over one minute and six seconds. Rahier took fifth place in his final event, 200-metre freestyle.
Rahier travelled with his coach, Scott Flood, to compete against swimmers from around the world. The event, created to provide an international event between Paralympics, marks the first time Rahier has competed in England. He is currently training out of Nanaimo, where he prepared for the event. He arrived early in Manchester to familiarize himself with the pool and do a little sightseeing.
Speaking to the Peak prior to leaving, Rahier said he was hoping to have some time to also tour around London and take a look at the Olympic pool.
“I am absolutely looking forward to it...My swim meets are a great opportunity to compete somewhere that I haven’t been before and see a lot of competitors,” said Rahier. “What gives me the wins is staying positive, staying focused and most of all being proud for what you are doing.”
Rahier competed at the Can Am Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota in April. At that event Rahier took home gold for 200-metre individual medley and 100-metre backstroke, silver for 200-metre and 50-metre freestyle and bronze for 100-metre breaststroke. Rahier’s winning time for the 100-metre backstroke competition is the fastest time for that event in his classification so far in 2011. Rahier currently ranks third in the world overall for backstroke in his classification.
Rahier has also once again been selected for Team Canada and will compete at the Para Pan Pacific Championships in Edmonton in August. This meet is one of the qualifiers for the 2012 Paralympics in London, where Rahier dreams of taking part.
