A swimmer with Powell River roots earned silver and bronze medals at Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games.
Rahier, who put in his first strokes at Powell River Recreation Complex, said it was quite an experience racing in Toronto.
“I had the people of Toronto and my parents cheering me and my teammates on,” said Rahier. “It was awesome.”
Rahier, who trains with the Surrey Knights Swim Club, took home silver in the men’s 100-metre backstroke, Monday August 10, and bronze in the Men’s 200-metre individual medley, Friday, August 14.
“I raced with everything I had,” said Rahier. He placed sixth in the Men’s 100-metre breaststroke on Tuesday, August 12.
Rahier took home a gold and two silver medals at the 2011, Parapan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Although Rahier’s next race will be in December at the Can-Am Games in North Dakota, the next Paralympic qualifying event is in April 2016 in Toronto.
“I will need to put in lots of training and improvements,” said Rahier. “I really think I have a good shot at making the paralympics with my 100-metre backstroke and 200-metre medley.”
In 2012, Rahier fell short of his Paralympic bid, but went on to win a full set of medals at the 2014 Pan Pacific Para-swimming Championships, including gold in the 200-metre individual medley in which he made Canadian record time.
“I am really looking forward to some fishing and taking in the Blackberry Festival,” said Rahier, home in Powell River until Labour Day.
Overall, Canada placed second in swimming at the 2015 Parapan Am’s, between Brazil and Mexico, earning 24 gold, 39 silver and 28 bronze. In the medal count for the entire games, Canada placed second, between Brazil and the United States, with 50 gold, 63 silver and 55 bronze.
For more information about Rahier or the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games, readers can go to toronto2015.org or swimming.ca.
The 2016 Summer Paralympic Games will be held in Rio, Brazil.
