SASKATOON – Samantha Ryan is living proof that sometimes dreams really do come true. Two years ago, Ryan made it her mission to represent Canada at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
At the time it seemed like a lofty goal for the Saskatoon teen.
But last weekend, Ryan’s countless hours of hard work finally paid off. Ryan was named to Canada’s para-swim team on Sunday in Toronto.
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She cemented her spot by finishing first in the 100 metre butterfly at the Canadian para-swimming trials.
The 16-year-old returned home Tuesday evening to a heartwarming reception at Saskatoon International Airport.
“That was crazy,” Ryan said of the crowd that greeted her.
“I was expecting maybe one or two friends, I wasn’t expecting all my team to come.”
READ MORE: Teen swimmer hoping to compete in 2016 Paralympic Games
Ryan, who swims with the Saskatoon Goldfins, said at first it hadn’t hit her that she would be competing at Rio.
“Now it’s really hit me that this is actually happening,” she said after arriving home.
The 2016 Paralympic Games take place in Rio from Sept. 7 to Sept. 18.
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