While watching the 2012 Paralympic swim trials, Abi Tripp’s teammate told the eleven-year-old she was destined for Team Canada. Twelve years later, Tripp dons a red and white swim cap for the third time at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Having recently won a silver medal at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in the 100-meter breaststroke, the Kingston –native is ready for her third Paralympic Games in Paris, taking place August 28 to September 8.
For Tripp, the road to the world stage wasn’t linear. She’s smashed Canadian records, faced disqualification, found guidance under a world-renowned coach, and built community at a Kingston swim club.
Finding her passion at home
Growing up in Kingston, Tripp took advantage of the city’s natural landscape and waterfront. She spent her childhood outdoors playing soccer and participating in triathlons.
During the Kids of Steel Triathlon at the Royal Military Collage, acclaimed marathon swimmer Vicki Keith discovered Tripp running around in ankle footer orthoses, used by children with cerebral palsy. The world-record holder was impressed by the five-year old’s tenacity and suggested Tripp join her swim team.
Tripp’s chance encounter with Keith was the spark of her Paralympic career.
“That was my gateway into the para-sport. A sport that was adapted for kids with cerebral palsy. [Keith] knew the ways to teach me how to swim properly and that was what built my confidence,” Tripp says during an interview.
Tripp then joined the Kingston Y Penguins, a swimming program for children diagnosed with physical disabilities. She started and ended her days in the pool with Keith and her teammates, including Jenna and Natalie Lambert who were a source of inspiration for the Paralympian.
“I felt comfortable there because I met other kids with disabilities like Jenna, who also had cerebral palsy, so we bonded over that,” Tripp says. “I learned that it was fine to be a little clumsy and to wear braces on my feet. And so, it just built this confidence in me.”
At 11 years old, Tripp qualified for the 2012 Paralympic swim trials, but her family decided the high-stakes competition was too much pressure for a young girl to handle. So, she cheered from the sidelines.
Tripp watched her teammates secure their spot on the world stage, signing their names on a double-decker bus cutout to mark their ticket to London 2012. Watching the celebratory moment reinforced Tripp’s goal of becoming a Paralympian.
Abbi’s road to Rio 2016 and Beyond
Missed school days and early morning bike rides to swim practice became Tripp’s reality, but such sacrifices proved worthwhile in 2015 when she qualified for the Parapan American Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games.
During Rio 2016, the 15-year-old swam her way to a Canadian record in the 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley. She placed sixth in the 400-meter freestyle, seventh in the 100-meter freestyle, and eighth in the 200-meter individual medley.
After her success in Rio, Tripp felt the podium was in reach during the next Paralympic Games in Tokyo. However, her hopes for a medal were dashed when officials deemed her breaststroke kick illegal, disqualifying her from the competition.
Tripp relocated to Quebec City to train for her next bid at the Paralympic podium. Her fortuitous disqualification has prepared her for whatever challenges Paris 2024 may bring.
“Being on both sides of the coin, having an amazing games and a disappointing games, and then coming to Paris, I’m ready to stay centred through all these emotional rollercoasters,” Tripp says.
To curb performance anxiety and maintain her focus, Tripp and her coaches meticulously scheduled her days in the Paralympic Village, from the time she eats breakfast to the hour she gets in the pool.
“The main thing is just controlling the things that I can control. On race day, I might feel sick, I might feel tired, I might just feel like I’m not ready to race. But the thing is, there’s no choice. It has to be done, and I’ve been trained to handle these types of situations,” Tripp says.
Tripp is going into race day with an open mind and wants to put down the best possible performance for her home country. She’s supported by her partner, Nicolas Guy Turbide—who also competes in Paralympic swimming for Team Canada—and her teammates. As a seasoned Paralympian, Tripp’s taken on a mentorship role this year, preparing rookie teammates for their first international competition.
A gentle reminder of home, Tripp’s parents are cheering her on in Paris.
While Tripp’s enjoying Parisian cuisine and the eclectic nature of the Paralympic Village, she misses Kingston’s waterfront trails and Pan Chancho Bakery’s lemon current rolls. She looks forward to returning, hopefully with a medal draped around her neck.
You can watch Tripp compete on September 4 and 5 on CBC and CBC Gem.
