Younger Generations Inspired By Canadian Swimmers

Following the success of the swimmers last month at the Olympics and Paralympics, there’s hope it may inspire others to try the sport.

14 Canadian medals came home with swimmers from the two summer games events in Tokyo.

Paralympian Danielle Dorris was recognized this week at Moncton City Council for her gold and silver medals.

Her coach, Ryan Allen was with her in Tokyo.

We asked whether or not he thinks this might inspire others to take up the sport, “I hope so. To mention a USA stat I saw post-2008 when Michael Phelps did his historical feat and their membership went up something like 300 per cent. The reason that stands out is because they tracked it and they looked at it. I’m positive Swimming Canada has seen similar jumps in 2016 especially. I know for our own program, we are basically at a waitlist level in our club for the first time ever. That’s following reduced numbers due to COVID-19. I think if we actually track the stats they would prove this feeling I have.”

Allen believes the impact of the recent successes may not be immediate though, “It’ll take a bit. It’s bad timing that we have this successful Paralympics and Olympics coming off the heels of such a downtrend in our membership, but I do think it will have a positive impact.”