Canadian Paralympic swimming legend Aurélie Rivard has officially withdrawn from selection for the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, choosing instead to prioritize her law studies at Laval University.
The 29-year-old from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, emphasized her continued love for the sport but cited the importance of finishing her law degree, with graduation set for April 2026. “I’ve always put swimming first,” Rivard stated. “I took sabbatical sessions and built my life around this sport. But at this point, with just under a year to go in law school… I didn’t want to put off again.”
Rivard, a six-time Paralympic gold medallist who debuted on the world stage in 2012, said she’s still training and enjoying the process. She noted that the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics remain a long-term goal, but she plans to approach her fifth Paralympic cycle with caution to avoid burnout.
Though she had been slated to compete at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria, her academic commitments took precedence this season. The 2025 World Para Swimming Championships are scheduled for September 21–27 in Singapore.
Swifteradio.com
