Lindsay Reimer with all nine of her medals from the swim meet in Florida. (Battlefords Special Olympics/Facebook)

By Austin Mattes

Making a Splash

Battlefords swimmer takes home 9 medals from Florida

Dec 10, 2024 | 4:37 PM

From the Battlefords all the way to Florida, Special Olympics Athlete and Battlefords Orcas Swim Club member, Lindsay Reimer made her name known by bringing home an impressive nine medals (two gold, three silver and four bronze) while representing Canada at the Open National Championship swim meet hosted by USA Down Syndrome Swimming (USADSS) and Athletes Without Limits (AWL) at the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Centre In Orlando from November 7-10th.

Over the few days, Lindsay swam in more than 10 different events and competed against more than 100 different athletes. The event she got her medals in goes as followed:

200 M IM – Gold

100 M Butterfly – Gold

200 M Medley Relay – Silver

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400 M Free Relay – Silver

200 M Free Relay – Silver

100 M Free – Bronze

100 M IM – Bronze

100 M Fly – Bronze

50 M Breast – Bronze

Lindsay started swimming around 17 years ago and has competed in many competitions since then, but this was her very first time at this Open National Championship event, which took a lot of preparation.

“She’s been swimming forever, since 2007 and she’s been swimming as a Special Olympic swimmer and swimming all over for the Saskatchewan Games, Canada Games and Down Syndrome games, but this was the first time she swam with a Down Syndrome Association.” said Karen Reimer, Lindsay’s Mom.

“She was doing a lot of preparation. She swims twice a week and then once with Special Olympics. Then I took her a few days in between just for an hour just to keep her going strong. Then she also works out at home and has an exercise program she also participates in with Special Olympics on the weekend too.” Karen Added.

With all the hard and preparation Lindsay put in, she exceeded expectation with her great results, but even though winning the medals was nice, the biggest reward has been the support Lindsay has received from the community.

“I thought she might win a couple medals but I did not expect her to perform like that. She actually made a personal best in all her swims that she swam. So she did well against herself even. She is just so happy that everybody is supporting her, that makes me feel really good that she’s getting recognition for all her hard work and she is so happy with all the support around here. It’s just awesome and her entire family is so proud.” Karen said.

Lindsay’s next competition is this Saturday, Dec. 14th at the Battlefords Aquatic Centre.

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austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes