The 2024 Paralympic Games have been golden for Canadian swim star Nicholas Bennett.

Bennett, racing Wednesday in the men’s 200m individual medley (SM14), set a new Paralympic record on route to his second gold medal at the Paris La Defense Arena.

The Parksville, B.C., native swam a 2:06.05, just .08 off from his world record time set earlier this year at the Para Swim Trials, in Toronto.

Bennett got off to a quick butterfly start, sitting third after the first 50m, then up to second at the halfway point following the backstroke. The 20-year-old’s patented breaststroke would propel him into the lead, where he would continue to outrace the pack through the freestyle.

He left everything in the pool.
 
“I had to hammer the last 50, lose whatever I had left in the tank,” said Bennett, to Swim Canada.

He added this win had a different feel than the first gold.

“I was certainly a lot more comfortable racing tonight,” he said. “I knew there was a chance (with the morning swim) being so close to my record.”

It was also the fastest time of the qualifier.

Great Britain’s Rhys Darby took silver, with Aussie Ricky Betar placing third with times of 2:08.61 and 2:08.69, respectively.

After not medalling at Tokyo in 2021, the tides have turned for Bennett. Now training with with who is coached by his sister Haley Bennett-Osborne, at the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club. 

The swimmer would truly break through on the international circuit in 2023 with two golds and a silver medal at the Manchester World Championships.

He will be back in the pool Friday for the 100m backstroke.