Aurélie Rivard has changed since the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games. From now on, she gives absolute priority to her well-being.
“I started therapy in September 2022, I think a little out of obligation from those around me,” Rivard confided to The Pressfrom the French town of Vichy, where the national swimming team was holding its final training camp before the Games.
Despite winning five medals in Tokyo, the 28-year-old was struggling to find her full potential. Caught in a dizzying whirlwind in which she felt lost, she chose to take a step back.
PHOTO MARKO DJURICA, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Aurélie Rivard at the Tokyo Games in 2021, after lowering the world record in the 400m freestyle S10
It felt good to see further, to have another perspective, to see beyond my swimming career, to see what I, as a person, wanted to accomplish.
Aurelie Rivard
“Now I make decisions for myself. I set my limits, I know how far I’m willing to go and I know what challenges I’m comfortable taking on,” she says.
The face of the Canadian Paralympic movement for nearly a decade, Rivard swam with a sense of accountability, of having to be infallible. Of course, those around her, her coaches and her teammates still have a role to play in her development. But now she only needs herself to figure out how to be happy in the water.
In Paris, in a few days, only one person will be able to satisfy her, disappoint her or fulfill her: herself.
And the work of introspection required to arrive at such a conclusion has proven to be long, sometimes painful, but above all essential. Rivard even felt the need to step down temporarily in 2022.
“I really took the time to take stock of myself. Why do I want to continue? What would it give me to continue? What do I still have to gain? And the answer is simple. I still love what I do and I still have the motivation to push myself as far as possible. Whether it’s improving my times or winning medals. I still want to defend my titles. I think I can still swim fast.”
As her fourth Games approach, she manages to do what was once impossible before the big Paralympic party: “I sleep!”
A telling sign, she believes, of the effectiveness of her new approach.
PHOTO ANDRÉ PICHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Aurélie Rivard welcomed by her family upon returning from her first Paralympic Games, those in London in 2012
More than the podiums
Holder of ten Paralympic medals, including five gold, Rivard is under no illusions. If the trend continues, and if the average is respected, she should be on the podium in Paris. “It would be a lie to say that I never think about it,” she admits.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Aurélie Rivard and her medals from the Tokyo Games
But that is not his main source of motivation. “My success is not based on medals, the podium. My success will be based on the things I can control, so especially the times. I train to achieve a time, which technically should allow me to be on the podium.”
The swimmer from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu has already lowered eight world records, in addition to having recorded five new personal records during the last cycle.
At 28, she is still capable of shaving thousandths of a second off her best times. The difference is that today, she wants to beat herself before beating her rivals.
“I can’t control others. Some may be sick, some may be doped. We don’t know,” she says.
With that in mind, “I really try to bring it back to myself as much as possible.”
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Aurélie Rivard at the Montreal Laureates Evening, in 2021
Postpone retirement
In 2012, at her first Games, at age 16, Rivard felt “too young” to realize the magnitude of the competition. In 2016, in Rio, she was “extremely stressed.” Then, in 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, “it was not the same at all.”
The Quebecer therefore hopes to be able to fully enjoy the Paris Games. But not necessarily because they will be her last. At least, “I’m not ready to make that statement,” she says.
However, she approaches these Games “with the idea that it could be the last time. Maybe that’s why I’m a little more in the present moment.”
Still, starting August 28, Rivard will reconnect with the full Paralympic experience. The village, the fans and the feeling of being a visible and appreciated athlete like Olympians are. “This is really the time I’m most looking forward to being there.”
PHOTO KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Aurélie Rivard in the pool at the Commonwealth Games in England in August 2022
Once there, in the swimming pool of the Paris La Défense Arena, she will want to enjoy the moment and embrace every moment.
” How ?
— I don’t know, because I’ve never done it!
The best version of herself will try to make history again. Rivard is especially keen to defend her titles in the 100m freestyle S10 and the 400m freestyle S10, two distances she won in Rio and then in Tokyo.
And since she’s no longer obsessed with medals, she sees no harm in being reminded how attainable a hat-trick is in those two races. “When people talk to me about it, I feel like it’s positive and not stressful.”
Beyond the possible triumphs, Aurélie Rivard’s real victory probably lies in this statement.