Sasseville Brings Home Seven Medals And A Record From Canada Games

Winnipeg, MB- With the Canada Games wrapping up in Winnipeg with a fantastic closing ceremonies, Team Ontario finished the games with the highest medal count of 212,followed by British Columbia with146, and Quebec with 138.

Local swimmer Genevieve Sasseville completed her swimming performance with SEVEN trips to the podium. The Chatham Pool Shark collected five gold (50 fly, 100 fly, 4×50 free relay, 4×50 medley relay, 4×100 medley relay), one silver (4 x 100 medley relay), one bronze (50 free) AND a new Canada Games record in the 50 fly.

The 14-year-old Sasseville’s selection to the Canada Games team was not easy; it was the result of a two year try-out process which cumulated in one final qualifying meet in April. Twelve men and twelve women, in addition to 9 para and special Olympic swimmers, were selected to swim for Team Ontario. Sasseville’s performance at Canada Games is evidence that athletes from small communities can compete at major sporting events, and once again showcases the athletic talent found throughout Chatham-Kent.

Sasseville noted, “a big thanks for all the support I received from Chatham-Kent. Your emails, texts, messages, and phone calls really helped me perform my best. It was a really great experience and such a new environment for me to compete in. I am so honoured to have been selected to Team Ontario and would do it all again in a heartbeat”.

The Pool Sharks are offering free trials this fall to encourage young swimmers and parents to join the program. If you can swim, we can teach you to race. Youth interested in competitive swimming are invited to attend the free trials on Sept 11, 13 and 15 from 5-6 pm at the YMCA of Chatham Kent. Swimmers need to be at least 6 years of age and able to swim one length of the pool unassisted.