At the Swimming Canada AGM the organization honoured the organizers of the Lac-Megantic Open Water event with the President’s award, which is awarded to athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, sports leaders and builders who have made a significant and profound impact on the development and capacity of swimming in Canada.
The organizers of the event had to deal with much more than putting on the FINA Grand Prix event. President Francois Lessard, Vice President Kevin Laflamme, Administrators Serge Rosa and Marco Audet and Secretary Treasurer Dominque Jean had to also contend with a community tragedy.
On July 6th a train derailment killed 47 members of the community and destroyed much of the downtown core. The organizers were able to pull many in the community together to put on a very successful event during an extremely challenging time.
Two more awards were given out by Swimming Canada; Lynn Laprade won the Ken Filippelli Excellence in Officiating Award, while Christian Blais won the Volunteer Contribution Award.