Achi news desk-
Hundreds of young swimmers waited in line Saturday in Moncton to meet past, present and future Olympians.
New Brunswick swimmers Marianne Limpert, Danielle Dorris and Brooklyn Douthwright were at Université de Moncton for an autograph session during a swim meet.
Dorris qualified for her third Paralympic Games during trials in Toronto last weekend.
At the same trials, Douthwright qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
She is the first swimmer from New Brunswick to go to the Olympics since Limpert competed in the Sydney Games in 2000.
Limpert won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the Fredericton woman competed in a total of three Olympics.
“It’s so fun, it’s so much fun,” said Limpert about the huge turnout. “I’m so happy to be here with Brooklyn and Danielle, two amazing athletes. They’re kind of the current generation of great swimmers. I’d like to think I’ve inspired a lot of young swimmers coming up and I think that this is It’s great to see so many swimmers here today who are inspired by Brooklyn and Danielle.”
Hundreds of young swimmers in Moncton waited in line Saturday to meet Olympians Marianne Limpert, Danielle Dorris and Brooklyn Douthwright. (Derek Haggett/CTV News)Douthwright, from Riverview, NB, had Limpert sign a stuffed animal for her at a similar event when she was nine.
Now 21 years old, she remembered meeting Limpert that day and being greatly inspired by her.
“I thought about that and I really hope that in the next ten years or however many years someone else will be in my position when they look back on this day and say, ‘Oh yeah, I got it. sign my t-shirt or whatever’. I hope that’s something that happens,” Douthwright said.
This will be the third Paralympic Games for Dorris who said that these games feel a little more special to her.
“The first time I was 13, so I don’t remember any of it. I was new, I was experiencing it. And then in Tokyo it was during COVID-19, so there were no fans. It was just it was us swimmers supporting each other,” said Dorris. “Now this time in Paris, it’s going to be a full experience.”
The 21-year-old from Moncton was delighted with the huge gathering of young swimmers who came for an autograph, a quick chat and a photo.
“We’re here to inspire them and I think it’s really special that we got this big and I’m excited to sit here throughout my afternoon,” said Dorris.
Douthwright was a bit surprised by how many children and parents wanted to meet them.
“I’m also very happy to be here and sign stuff and get to meet the next generation of New Brunswick swimming. It’s a great experience. For me and hopefully for them too,” said Douthwright.
Meeting three Olympians was a thrill for 12-year-old swimmer Océane Arsenault.
“It was great. It feels like maybe everyone has a chance. It’s really cool,” he said.
As for advice for the two young women going to the Olympics, Limpert said they should take it all in.
“It’s a dream come true. You work so hard for it. Obviously you want to focus on your performances, but you also want to enjoy the experience,” said Limpert. “It’s a big deal. It only comes around every four years so I think just enjoy it, take it all in and if you’re having fun then you go swimming’ quickly.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games begin on July 26, while the Paris Paralympic Games begin on August 28.
