The athlete
Benoit was born with a disability in his right leg known as clubfoot. He started swimming at 8 years old and became one of Canada's most decorated Paralympic athletes with 20 medals in 5 Paralympic Games.
Member of the Canadian national from 1998 to 2018, he won 32 medals in six World Championships, lowering more than 60 world records in his category.
Benoit is involved in various causes involving our youth, inclusion, diversity and physical activity. He is an ambassador for Right to Play and Jumpstart Charities.
Member of the Order of Canada and Knight of the Order of Quebec, his biggest dreams are to help our youth by inspiring them to look beyond their own boundaries and motivate anyone who aims to realize their dreams. He does it by sharing his passion for life.
- 20 Paralympic medals (9 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze)
- 32 medals in IPC World Championships
- 4 Commonwealth Games medals (one gold (2010), two silver (2006), one bronze (2002))
- Broke more than 60 world records
2016 – Rio de Janerio Paralympic Games (Brasil)
- 1 bronze medal (400m freestyle)
- 1 gold medal and world record (200m IM)
- 1 silver medal (400m freestyle)
- 1 bronze medal (100m backstroke)
- Flag bear of the Canadian flag at the closing ceremony
- 4 bronze medals (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m IM)
- 5 gold medals (50m freestyle (world record), 100m freestyle (world record)
- 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly (world record), 200m IM (Paralympic record)
- 1 silver (100m backstroke)
- 3 gold medals (50m freestyle (world record), 200m IM (Paralympic record)
- 3 silver medals (100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke)
2013
- Winner of the King Clancy Award "Person with a Disability of the Year" – Toronto
2012
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada - Toronto
- Prestigious James Worrall honor - Montreal
- Diamond Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II - Ottawa
- Personality of the Week September 16, 2012 – La Presse
2011
- Inducted into the Hall of Fame for people with disabilities - Toronto
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada – Toronto
2010
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada – Toronto
2009
- Winner of the King Clancy Award "Person with a Disability of the Year" Toronto
2008
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada – Toronto
2007
- International Athlete of the Year at Gala Sports Québec - Montreal
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada - Toronto
- Flag bearer for Canada at the Para Pan American Games - Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
- International Level Athlete of the Year at the University of Quebec in Montreal – UQAM
2006
- Finalist for Best Male Elite Athlete with a disability for Commonwealth countries - London, England
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada – Toronto
2005
- Athlete of the Year, with a disability, by the magazine " Swimming World " - Phoenix , USA
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada - Victoria , BC
- Finalist in the Canadian Sport Award for Athlete of the Year in Canada - Toronto
- Winner of the King Clancy Award "Person with a Disability of the Year " – Toronto
2004
- Finalist at the Gala Sports Québec "International Athlete of the Year " - Montreal
- Athlete of the Year " Canadian Aquatic Federation"
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada
2003
- Winner of Best Male Elite Athlete with a disability for the Commonwealth - Glasgow , Scotland
- Athlete of the Year by Swimming Canada – Quebec
2001
- Award nominee for "Viscount Alexander " to " Canadian Sport Award" – Toronto
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