Courtney Desjardins, Head Coach of Caledon’s Dorado Stars Swim Club reflects on the Para Can-Am Championship Games…..
March 27th-29th witnessed the Canadian Para-swimmers versus the American Para-swimmers for a Paralympic competition that saw true greatness at every angle and every category within the para swimming system. The unique experience showed the perfect combination of character and determination within a 50 metre pool under the open sky in the beautiful Ransom Everglades facility in Coconut grove, Miami Florida. The Dorado Stars were in full force with athlete Tess Routliffe representing herself and team to her best individual performances to date. She raced to four gold medals, 5 second swims and achieved 7 outstanding personal best times. It was an incredibly exciting competition filled with passion, commitment, and elite level swimming. From the start of the season Tess has shown true athletic ambition both in and out of the pool. She has the combination of a dream and the purity of heart to change the course of her life in the field of swimming. She is an ambassador to the very essence of sport and what sport can do for anyone who is willing to dream, work, learn and never give up. I have been forever changed from my experience during the Can-Am’s. It is truly remarkable to see how athletics can bring people together from every part of the world, every able to disabled athlete, but in that pool, in that lane, it is you, your chance, your moment to explore your true greatness.
Courtney Desjardins, Head Coach
Dorado Stars Swim Club
Caledon, ON
