Para-swimmer Rahier hopes to ride recent success to Rio

Intends to carry on momentum from Parapan Am and IPC Championship

Canadian Paralympic hopeful Adam Rahier swims at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships  Courtesy Swimming Canada/Ian MacNicol

TORONTO – Prospective Canadian Paralympian Adam Rahier hopes to take his recent swimming success all the way to Rio.

Rahier, 27, won silver in the 100-metre backstroke and bronze in the 200-metre Individual medley at the 2015 Parapan Am games in Toronto and now wants more.

“It was one in a million. I won’t forget the crowds cheering us on,” he said on Saturday evening at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. “We have accomplished so much at the Pan Ams. Now, we’re just doing our part in the trials to get to Rio, because that’s our biggest goal.”

The Prince Rupert, B.C, native had one of the best years of his swimming career in 2015, qualifying for the 2015 IPC (International Paralympic Championship) Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

“The only way to become successful (this season) is to give it my all in training, and always follow the good wisdom of my coach,” said Rahier, following the 100-metre backstroke at the 2016 Para-Swimming Trials. “But, above all, I need to do my best and have fun.”

The S14 classification swimmer (intellectual impairment) failed to meet the Paralympic standard in the 100-metre backstroke, posting a time of 1:08.25, nearly three seconds off the mark.

Rahier, however, still hopes to qualify for this fall’s Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will learn his fate on Sunday evening as the 2016 Canadian Para-Swimming Trials come to a close.

“It’s about a 50/50 chance at Rio at this point,” he said. “Do your best and have fun and you’ll never be disappointed.”

Twitter: @C_Fergs

About this article

By:
Posted: Apr 10 2016 9:15 am
Edition:
Filed under: Sports Swimming
Topics: