If there was a Games closing ceremony over the summer in Paris, there was sure to be an Island athlete carrying a flag.
The Regional District of Nanaimo, City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach announced Thursday that Nicholas Bennett will be celebrated for his achievements on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in a public ceremony at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre, where he began his swim career.
The Parksville product won two gold medals and a silver at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris and was chosen to co-carry the Canadian flag in the closing ceremony at the Stade de France with canoeist Brianna Hennessy of Ottawa. Bennett tied with fellow-swimmer Aurelie Rivard for the most Canadian medals in the 2024 Paris Paralympics with three.
“We are proud and honoured that Nicholas represents the City of Parksville on the world stage and is a role model and inspiration to so many,” Parksville mayor Doug O’Brien said in a statement.
“We acknowledge the dedication and persistence, as well as the sacrifices made by Nicholas and his family which allow Nicholas to reach these unbelievable accomplishments,” added O’Brien, citing also sister and coach Haley Bennett-Osborne and parents Lise Peters and Shawn Bennett.
Qualicum Beach mayor Teunis Westbroek said Bennett is “inspiring others in our community to also pursue their dreams.”
Bennett is only 20 and plans to be heard from again at Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
“It feels like just yesterday I was a 14-year-old who got classed [in the SM category for autism]. I didn’t expect this much of an exponential growth,” he said, in Paris.
“To do it so young just shows I have more to come.”
The ceremony for Bennett follows the one held by the City of Nanaimo for 2024 Paris Olympics hammer-throw gold-medallist Ethan Katzberg on Sept. 26 at his old Rotary Bowl track and attended by hundreds of school students, admirers, supporters and well-wishers. Katzberg was Canadian flagbearer in the Paris Olympics closing ceremony along with swim sensation Summer McIntosh of Toronto.
