The Parksville Qualicum Beach community is set to honour swimmer Nicholas Bennett.
The Parksville athlete has made the community proud with his multiple medals earned in local, national and international competitions.
His latest achievements included two gold medals and a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Bennett also set national records in the process and was given the honour of being Canada's flag-bearer for the closing ceremonies.
The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, Regional District of Nanaimo and the Ravensong Aquatic Club are inviting the District 69 community to join in celebrating Bennett's achievements at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre on Nov. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“Nicholas Bennett is a dedicated and talented athlete, evidenced by his incredible victory at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris earlier this year," said Parksville Mayor Doug O'Brien. "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. 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. On behalf of Parksville council, my sincere congratulations to Nicholas, his sister and coach, Haley Bennett-Osborne, and parents, Lise Peters and Shawn Bennett, for your success at the Paralympics.”
Bennett grew up in Parksville and began swimming competitively at the age of seven. He joined the Ravensong Breakers Aquatic Club in 2010 and was a member for 12 seasons with them. He has won multiple medals at the local, national and international level and holds multiple records, including a world record in the S14 200-metre individual medley. He won Canada’s first gold medal of the 2024 Paralympic Games with his win in the SB14 100-metre breaststroke. He also won gold in the S14 200-metre individual medley and a silver in the S14 200-metre freestyle.
“On behalf of the Regional District of Nanaimo, I extend our congratulations to Nicholas Bennett on winning multiple medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games and gratitude for being an amazing ambassador for Canada and for our community at this high level of sporting excellence," said RDN board chair Vanessa Craig. "It takes a tremendous amount of commitment and support for athletes to achieve their dreams and succeed on the international stage as Nicholas has. We wish him continued success in his future athletic endeavours.”
Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek said the town is incredibly proud to have such a world-class athlete in its midst.
"We congratulate Nicholas on his remarkable achievement of winning gold and silver at the 2024 Paralympics," he said. "His success embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination, inspiring others in our community to also pursue their dreams.”
In addition to Bennett, District 69 will also recognize and celebrate all athletes who qualified and participated in the 2024 Paralympic Games including five-time Paralympian Trevor Hirschfield from Parksville who was co-captain of Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby team.
