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Order of Canada acknowledges Benoit Huot’s passion for Para-swimming

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By Jim Morris

When Benoit Huot dives into a pool his goal is to finish on the podium. As a Paralympic athletic, a medal is his reward for hard work and hours of training.

When Huot recently was named to the Order of Canada he did some research and discovered he was in the company of artists, scientists, politicians, authors, business people and a former Supreme Court justice. They all were being honored for their passion and dedication to their chosen pursuits.

“Just to be compared with those individuals,” said Huot, who won his 20th Paralympic medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. “I was very honored and humbled to be nominated.”

Huot’s inclusion in the Order of Canada is not only a recognition of his many accomplishments in the pool, it’s also an acknowledgement of his passion for promoting Paralympic sport and commitment to improving the lives of people with a disability. That’s why he plans to wear the Order of Canada pin with special pride.

“When you think about a sport medal you have a little bit of control over it,” said Huot. “It’s your passion, your destiny.

“A (pin) like this is symbolic. It’s beyond your performance in a sport. It’s what you represent. It really touched me.”

— Benoit Huot

“A (pin) like this is symbolic. It’s beyond your performance in a sport. It’s what you represent. It really touched me.”

Established in 1967 by Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society.

Huot, 32, was born with a club foot and began swimming when he was eight.  The native of Longueuil, Que., would go on to establish himself as one of Canada’s greatest Paralympic athletes.

He has competed at five Paralympic Games, winning nine gold, five silver and six bronze medals. He’s also won 29 medals in four world championships and set 50 world records in his S10 category.

Outside the pool, Huot is also an ambassador for Right to Play and has created the Benoit Huot Foundation to help young athletes whose goal is to participate in the Paralympics.

Ahmed El-Awadi, Swimming Canada’s chief executive officer, said Huot’s impact on swimming extends beyond medals and world records.

“Ben has been a lifelong ambassador for Para-sport, the sport of swimming, Swimming Canada and Canada itself,” he said. “He has devoted his life to representing Canada with grace and class.

“We know his family is proud of him and we, his swimming family, are proud of him as well.”

Cheryl Gibson, Swimming’s Canada president, said Huot’s “heart and determination led him to the pinnacle of Paralympic swimming.

“Along the way, Benoit has been a leader and mentor to younger swimmers and his sparkling personality has made him a fan favorite around the globe. Benoit is a Canadian gem.”

James Hood, Swimming Canada’s Senior Manager, High Performance Para-swimming Programs, said Huot is a true leader both in and outside of the pool.

“His accomplishments of 20 medals alone is worthy of his recognition,” said Hood. “But it is his ongoing philanthropic work with other athletes and groups like Right to Play have spread him around the globe.”

Huot said receiving the Order or Canada will further motivate him in his efforts to encourage people, especially children, living with a disability to become more active.

“Those are the things I would like to keep working on,” he said. “Receiving the Order of Canada, it really motivates me to keep going to try and do everything I can to make a difference for those people living with struggles and help the next generation.”

Among other athletes already named to the Order of Canada are NHL stars Wayne Gretzky and Jean Beliveau, two-time NBA most valuable player Steve Nash, cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes, wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc and Olympic medalist swimmer Victor Davis.

“They are national heroes,” said Huot. “Just to think that somehow I could be compared to those individuals, it’s crazy.

“How lucky I am. I don’t know what the future holds but hopefully . . . I can wear the pin for the next 50 years of my life.”

In the past Huot said Rio would be his last Paralympics. He has decided to compete at this year’s IPC World Swimming Championships in Mexico City and isn’t ruling out swimming at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast Australia.

“It’s a transition year,” he said. “Less stress, not as much pressure. I really enjoy the swimming. I will re-evaluate after worlds this year if I have another Commonwealth Games in me. I don’t see too much in advance. I want to go a year at a time.

“Honestly, I just wish somehow I was 20. I could swim another 10 years. I’m so passionate about the sport. I’m aware my good years in the sport are behind me.”

One reason Huot is in no hurry to retire is because he believes he can still push the boundaries of Para-sport.

“When the swimming things is done, I really hope . . . I will have a chance to stay around the sport, especially in Para-sports, and continue to make it grow,” he said.

“I really believe the best place to be so far is to be the athlete and try to continue to make it grow. That’s why I’m trying to push . . . as long as possible. I don’t want to, in 10 years, to say I should have kept going a bit more. I want to maximize the passion and the time of my life while I’m still able to.”