By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
A group of local swimmers from the Windsor Athletic Club has returned from the 56th International Children’s Games held in Leon, Mexico.
The top eight 12 through 15 year-old swimmers were chosen as ambassadors for the Windsor/Essex region and include LaSalle residents Rhys Walda and Logan Levack.
“The trip to the games was great and my first chance to travel to compete internationally,” said Walda, who is starting Gr. 9 at Sandwich Secondary School in the Fall. “I participated in 100 fly, 50 fly, the 50 free the 200 IM and two relays.”
“The people in Mexico were very welcoming, especially when we were training with the Mexican team,” said Walda. “Very easy to make friends with.”
Walda, 14, says the most memorable experience of the Games was meeting so many kids from so many other countries. Particularly when they had the chance to meet and mingle and exchange various pins, hats and swag. He also enjoyed being able to share time with his teammates from the Aquatic Club.
Swimmer Logan Levack, a 15-year-old Gr. 10 student at Sandwich concurred with Walda, citing all his pins and hats were traded for many other souvenirs from across the world.
Both swimmers found a challenge when competing, as the elevation in Mexico is quite different.
“It was harder to compete as the air is a little thinner in Mexico,” said Levack, a Gr. 10 student at Sandwich Secondary School. “We did have the chance to train a bit in Mexico, which allowed us to work on acclimating for the lack of oxygen.”
He also says a big highlight for him was being able to see parts of Mexico not usually seen if they were staying on a resort. Levack also enjoyed the international food available at the buffet.
He believes that his best performance at the Games was the 100m relay, where he managed to shave off a second and a half from his personal best time. Levack also took part in the 50 fly, 50 free, 100 free and 200 free.
Levack is hoping to further his swimming and reach for higher goals and stay fit.
The International Children’s Games event is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the swimmers were part of Official Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Multicultural activities, Athletes’ Night, as well as racing of course!
The following local ICG swimmers also included: Gavin Schinkelshoek, Nikola Lackovic, Mia Dipierdomenico, Avril Lei, Sophia Xu and Violet Duranovich,
“The group has been working hard all year to cover the costs of such a grand adventure. We have gathered company donations and hosted several fundraising events such as car washes and a corn hole tournament,” read a press release from the WAC.
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