Canada’s Aurelie Rivard entering Rio Paralympics as swimmer to beat
TORONTO — Aurelie Rivard describes herself as a totally different person in the four years since her Paralympic debut.
Now 20 years old, the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., native enters the Rio de Janeiro Games as a favourite in the pool.
“When I was in London, I was only 16 years old, I was a kid, I didn’t know what to expect,” Rivard said prior to leaving for Brazil. “I was going there like totally clueless, I was so impressed by everything, so amazed, I was just there to get some experience.
“Now I’m kind of the girl to beat. It adds a little bit of pressure as well, but I really just want to go there and have the best swim meet of my life and hopefully bring medals home.”