A Powell River swimmer is coming home from an international meet carrying a heavy load.
Adam Rahier won gold, silver and bronze at the third INAS Global Games Paralympic meet in Loano, Italy.
Rahier won gold in the men’s 200-metre backstroke and posted a personal best time in his win. ‘’I was very satisfied with that performance,’’ said Rahier in a Swimming Canada release. ‘’It took a lot of training to achieve that time. I focused today on having a good start, being positive and following the advice of my coach.’’
Rahier also won a bronze medal in the men’s 100-metre backstroke and two silvers in the men’s 4x200-metre freestyle relay and 4x100-meter medley relay. He combined forces with Michael Heath of Woodstock, Ontario, Maxime Rouselle of St. Alexandre, Quebec and Mike Qing of Regina, Saskatchewan for the silver medals.
The swimming competition at the Global Games features athletes in the S14 category for intellectual disabilities as they tuneup for next year’s Paralympic Games in London, England. The Global Games is one of the largest events for athletes with an intellectual disability in the world. It takes place every four years, one year before the Paralympic Games, and features world championship competition in seven sports.
“We are proud of all the performances so far,” said Craig McCord, Swimming Canada’s para swimming head coach. “These kids have just come off their peak event in August, so it’s a start of a new season and they’ve come in here and delivered some top performances. The competition is tough, there are no easy races and they are going to get better and better.”
Rahier has also made a splash provincially. Rahier and his coach, Scott Flood, were recently recognized at the Swim BC and BC Swim Coaches Association awards banquet, which was held at Whistler Conference Centre. Rahier was named Male Para-Swimmer of the Year. Flood was named Para-Swimming Coach of the Year.
