Rivard golden again in Rio
RIO DE JANEIRO (CP) — Aurelie Rivard touched the wall, looked up at the time clock and smacked the water with delight.
The Canadian swim star demolished the field to win the 400-metre freestyle at the Rio Paralympics on Thursday, shattering the world record in the process.
“Oh man, I’m so happy, I really wanted it. I was so so so nervous before the race,” Rivard said before darting away to prepare for the 4x100 freestyle relay. “I’ve been training for it for so long and now that I’ve done it, it’s just so amazing.”
It was her third gold — and fourth medal — of the Games.
The 20-year-old from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., who was born without a hand, pulled away over the final 200 metres to touch in a world-record 4:29.26 seconds. The previous mark was 4:32.79.
Australia’s Monique Murphy was second in 4:35.09.
Benoit Huot of Longueuil, Que., captured the 20th medal of his illustrious career, winning bronze in the 400 free in likely his final Paralympics.
“It’s number 20, I can sleep in peace now. I can go in peace. I just feel it’s a nicer number than 19,” Huot said with a grin.
Huot said he might swim one more season, but doesn’t have another four years of Paralympic preparation in him. He made sure to cherish every moment Thursday.
“Behind the blocks, shaving down this afternoon, telling myself ‘Ben, it’s the last time.’ Putting that suit on, ‘Ben, it’s the last time.’ Going to warmup, ‘Ben it’s the last time,’” he said. “And I look up at the stands right before the race, and I just said to myself: ‘Ben, have the time of your life.’ And my mind was in that zone for those four minutes.”
In track and field, wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos of Dorval, Que., captured bronze in the 800 metres for his third medal of the Games. The 36-year-old won gold in the 100 and silver in the 400.
In cycling, Charles Moreau of Victoriaville, Que., was third in the road race for his second bronze medal of the Games.
Canada’s wheelchair rugby team improved to 2-0, beating Britain 50-49 in overtime.