TORONTO _ One of Canada’s most decorated Para-swimmers earned another honour when Benoit Huot delivered the Athletes’ Oath during the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Toronto Parapan American Games Friday night.
Hout, a four-time Paralympian from Longueuil, Que., said saying the oath in his own country counts as one of the thrills of his career.
“It’s a true honour to have this unique privilege to give the Athlete’s Oath at home,” said Hout. “I enjoyed every second of it and this gives me lots of excitement for the start of the swimming competition.”
Joining Huot in the opening ceremonies was Para-cycling coach Sebastien Travers who gave the Coaches’ Oath.
“It’s a great honour for me and our Canadian cycling family to say the Coaches’ Oath at home in Toronto,” said Travers, of Bromont, Que. “I’m very happy to recite those values because they are definitely part of mine and I hope part of everyone in Toronto this week as we celebrate the spirt of these Games.”
Huot has won 19 Paralympic medals during his career, leaving him tied with Stephanie Dixon, Canada’s assistant chef de mission, as the second most in Canada Para-swimming history. Tim McIssac has 22 medals.
Swimming Canada was pleased to support the Canadian Paralympic Committee in the nomination of Huot to deliver the Athletes’ Oath.
“Ben is an incredible spokesman for the sport of swimming and for Paralympic sport,” said James Hood, team leader for Canada’s Parapan Am Swimming Team.
“He was the perfect choice for the Athletes’ Oath as he stands on his ethics and values as an athlete and portrays that in all he does.”
Travers was the Para-cycling national development coach for Cycling Canada in 2009 and 2010 then moved to high-performance coach. He is in charge of road racing team, the high performance development system and the sport-medical science development system.
The Canadian Para-cycling team won 11 medals at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Swimming news courtesy of Swimming Canada.