A 14-year-old from Ladysmith has earned a spot at the Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials.
Colton Gonzales secured his qualifying time during a meet April 19-20 in Victoria, according to a Ladysmith Chemainus Orcas swim club press release.
Gonzales swam the 100-metre backstroke in 59.89 seconds, earning him the chance to compete at the Olympic trials in Toronto from May 13-17.
“I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity to compete at the Canadian Olympic Trials and see the future Canadian Olympians,” Gonzales said in the release. “It’s been a dream of mine to one day represent my country on the international stage, and I’m determined to give it my all and learn everything I can while I am in Toronto.”
The release noted that Gonzales has trained rigorously and has shown “unwavering dedication” to his sport.
“What sets him apart is his work ethic, determination, and his drive to win,” said coach Brandon Gonzales. “He always tries to elevate himself to meet or exceed the level of his competition.”
The teen hopes that competing at such a high level will turn out to be not only a personal achievement, but a chance to inspire others in his community.
“I hope that my journey will encourage other young athletes to pursue their passions and push themselves toward their goals,” Colton Gonzales said in the release. “With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”
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