A local para athlete will be making a splash in Portugal this summer at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships.
Jordan Tucker is one of 31 swimmers who will represent Canada at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira.
For the 20-year-old Guelph resident, this will be the first time she is competing for Canada.
“I was shocked. My first reaction was, ‘Oh my God!’” said Tucker, who swims with the Guelph Marlins Aquatic Club.
To qualify, Tucker participated in the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria, B.C. in early April. During the event, Tucker won gold in 150 meter individual medley and bronze in 50 meter backstroke. She also placed seventh in the 100 meter freestyle.
“I felt nervous, but also very happy, to be able to swim and it was a positive experience overall since it was the biggest swim meet that I’ve been to since COVID,” said Tucker about going to Victoria.
Tucker has been swimming competitively for seven years.
“I started when I was really young and always loved the water, that’s what my parents said. I think when I was five or six I would go to swim lessons.”
To prepare for the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials, Tucker said she spent six months swimming six days a week, one and a half to two hours a day.
“I’ve really had good coaches,” said Tucker about how her swim club has helped her. “My coach now, Sarah MacDonald, she went to trails with me and helped me with a race plan."
The 2022 World Para Swimming Championships take place June 12 to June 18. While there, Tucker said she hopes to achieve her best swim time for the 200 meter freestyle, meet new people and try to get a spot at the next Paralympics.
“It’s where para athletes come from all over the world to come and compete for a spot for the Paralympics,” said Tucker, who mentions that her end goal is to participate in the event.
In 2019, Team Canada had 18 swimmers who brought home 14 medals; two gold, seven silver and five bronze medals.
