“It has become a unanimous desire from the community,” the town’s mayor says.
Aurélie Rivard had heard the rumours. She only really realized the honour given to her by the town of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu when her mother was waiting for her at home, about a month ago, to have an apéritif and celebrate the news that the municipality she grew up in was going to rename one of its swimming pools in honour of one of the best Paralympic swimmers in history.
“It’s surely the greatest honour that anyone can give me,” added the 28-year-old swimmer. “It is an honour that will last a lifetime. My records are bound to be broken. In addition, it is linked to very personal emotions. My family accompanied me here; This is where I met my first coaches.
“This pool is pretty much my entire youth. I learned to swim here and it was during free time that I was spotted by a coach from the local club. It’s sports studies, doing my homework here. I spent my entire adolescence in this swimming pool.”
Mayor Andrée Bouchard confirmed the adoption of the new name during a news conference attended by Rivard’s relatives and friends, several media representatives and an audience full of dignitaries, including the former swimmer and now chair of the board of directors of Parasports Québec, Benoît Huot.
Former Montreal Expos pitcher Claude Raymond was also on hand. The Claude-Raymond Fund, of which he is honorary president, is somewhat at the origin of this decision, which is unanimously supported within the Montérégie community about 30 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
“It has become a unanimous desire from the community,” Bouchard explained. “The Claude-Raymond Fund requested it, as did the swimming club. The municipal council was behind Aurélie too. What touches us enormously is the exemplary nature of this athlete. The fact that she is a Paralympic athlete is inspiring. I find that all the light deserves to be put on them (the athletes). For me, Aurélie Rivard is a source of inspiration for all young people.”
The change in toponymy will be made official by the municipal council on Tuesday.
Rivard, originally from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, is one of the most successful Paralympic swimmers in the world, with 13 medals, including six gold, in four appearances at the Paralympic Games, the most recent of which were took place in Paris last summer. She has also been on the podium 14 times at the World Para Swimming Championships, including four times on the top step. Her 14 medals are a Canadian record.
She was Canada’s flag bearer during the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, where she won five medals, including two gold.