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| Human Interest | |
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Further Personal Information | |
| Higher education | Communications - University of Quebec in Montreal: Canada |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Why this sport? | He was inspired by a friend who won a silver medal at the Quebec Games in Canada. |
General Interest | |
| Awards and honours | In 2016 he was presented with the Order of Canada in recognition of his sporting achievements and his work as a Para sport ambassador. (swimswam.com, 02 Jan 2017) In 2016 he received the President's Award from Swimming Canada. (swimswam.com, 30 Sep 2016) He was named Male Para swimmer of the Year for 2013 and 2015 by Swimming Canada. (paralympic.ca, 16 Dec 2015; timescolonist.com, 27 Nov 2013) He was Canada's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (paralympic.org, 2013) In 2011 he was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame. (cleanairchampions.ca, 07 Nov 2011) He was named Swimming World Magazine's Disabled Swimmer of the Year for 2005. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 26 Mar 2010) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| When and where did you begin this sport? | He took up the sport at age eight at the Seahorse Swim Club in Longueuil, QC, Canada. He began swimming competitively at age 10. |
Further Personal Information | |
| Languages | French, English |
General Interest | |
| Other information | RETIREMENT He retired from competitive swimming in January 2019. "It was the greatest of honours to represent our country and I'm proud to have been able to fulfil all my competitive dreams. Sport is the most amazing school of life and I had the privilege of being its student for the past 25 years." (swimswam.com, 29 Jan 2019) STOLEN MEDALS REPLACED In July 2014 thieves broke into his house in Montreal, QC, Canada, and stole seven of his medals, including two from the Paralympic Games and three from the Commonwealth Games. The International Paralympic Committee [IPC] and Commonwealth Games Canada had replacements made, which were presented to him in March 2015. Two Parapan American Games medals were also stolen but not replaced. "Being awarded them again brought back a lot of emotions. I remembered that specific moment of when I won the medals when getting them." (paralympic.org, 18 Mar 2015; cbc.ca, 09 Mar 2015) OTHER ACTIVITIES: In June 2009 he set up the Benoit Huot Foundation. The organisation aims to provide support to young athletes with an impairment who wish to pursue both academic and athletic ambitions. He has also given motivational speeches to schools and businesses, and served as an ambassador for the Canadian Paralympic Committee [CPC]. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Nov 2014) |
| Most influential person in career | Canadian open water swimmer Philippe Guertin. (Athlete, 30 Aug 2010) |
| Hero / Idol | Brazilian motor racing driver Ayrton Senna. (Athlete, 30 Aug 2010) |
International Debut | |
| Year | 1998 |
| Competing for | Canada |
General Interest | |
| Nicknames | The Shark, Big Ben (paralympic.org, 02 Apr 2013; Athlete, 30 Aug 2010) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto | "Pain is temporary, glory is forever." (Facebook profile, 11 Jun 2015) |
International Debut | |
| Tournament | World Championships |
| Location | Christchurch, NZL |
General Interest | |
| Impairment | He was born with a club foot. The condition means he has a weak right ankle with reduced mobility and a smaller right foot. (benoithuot.com, 26 Mar 2010) |
Impairment Information | |
| Origin of Impairment | Congenital |