One of the Island’s own is officially a double gold medalist at this year’s Paris Paralympics!
20-year-old Nicholas Bennett, a swimmer who originally hails from Parksville, and has collected three medals thus far in the 2024 games.
Not only did he nab Canada’s first gold medal at this year’s Paralympics, he’s also the first Canadian man to win multiple gold medals in Paralympic swimming since 2004.
Bennett’s two gold medals came from earning the top time in the men’s 200-metre individual medley, along with the 100-metre breaststroke in Paris.
His third achievement, a silver medal, came from the 200-metre freestyle.
On top of the above, he broke the world record in the 200-metre individual medley at the 2024 Paralympic para swimming trials!
Though Bennett’s roots are on Vancouver Island, he currently calls Red Deer, Alberta home.
Bennett was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of three, and currently races in the S14 classification for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
