Lethbridge’s Rachel Nicol is having a stellar Olympic Games at Rio 2016, setting personal bests while contending for medals.
Locals cheered Nicol on at the University of Lethbridge Friday as the Team Canada 4×100 metre medley relay team swam to first place in their qualifying heat, earning a spot in the event’s final on Saturday.
“We’re so connected with her,” said Lethbridge Sport Council executive director Susan Eymann. “I think we’re just at the edge of our seats (when she races) just rooting for her.”
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Most of those at the viewing party Friday were from Nicol’s old club, the Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club. To the athletes who compete there, Nicol really is one of them. She got her start at the club and continues to act as a mentor to the swimmers there.
“I got to practice with her once,” said Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club member Ava Boasczak. “It was pretty cool because I do the breaststroke, too. We have a lot of things in common, too, because I talk to her lots.”
Everyone at the club, is all-in for Nicol, and watching her perform is fueling their own Olympic aspirations.
“Next Olympics I would be 14,” said Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club member Amelie Guttin. “That would kind of be a little young, but the one after that I would be 18, and I’ll try to kind of get up there and shine.”
Those sentiments are echoed by another LASC member.
“It’s amazing,” said Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club member Mackenzie Hamer. “It kind of gives us all hope that maybe someday we could be there.”
A new generation, daring to dream, to be just like Rachel Nicol.
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