Swimmer with Down’s aiming for gold
Olivia Lavallee has a big, beautiful smile that can light up any room she enters.
From July 20-26, the 15-year-old will be in Truro, N.S. — along with more than 300 other competitors from approximately 25 countries — when she competes in the ninth Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships.
Olivia’s father, Clint Lavallee, knew nothing about the world championships until his daughter was taking part in a competition in late April in Montreal and a couple of coaches told him she was probably good enough to qualify.
“When I looked at the qualifying times that they sent me, and I looked at Olivia’s, I said: ‘She’s not just qualifying … she’s up there as one of the top swimmers in her category,’ ” Clint said. “She really is that good.”
Olivia learned to swim when she was seven and has been competing for two years. She’s part of the Club de natation de St-Hyacinthe and also swims in the backyard pool at her father’s house in Saint-Basilele-Grand.
“I’m very excited,” Olivia said, flashing her big smile. “I want to win a gold medal and represent Canada.”
Olivia’s 12-year-old sister Emma is a gymnast, while her 10-year-old brother Logan plays baseball and hockey. They’ll be in Nova Scotia to cheer on Olivia along with their father and mother, Carolyn Calderisi. The parents divorced five years ago and share joint custody of the children.
“To see her in the pool and all the focus on her … to me it’s very gratifying,” Clint said while holding back tears. “I just love the fact it’s that one moment where all the attention is on her, and she deserves it.”
Clint works as a contractor for a software company that has helped pay for airline tickets for him and Olivia to fly to Nova Scotia. He started a GoFundMe account to help cover other trip expenses.
Clint said his job is to make sure as many doors are open for Olivia as possible, athletically and beyond.