A Gaspé swimmer takes the Canada Games Road

The 17-year-old swimmer Eli Pelletier will take part in the Canada Games for the first time to be held in Saint-Jean de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador from August 8 to 25.

The swimming tests are planned between August 10 and 15.

The Gaspé athlete will then represent Quebec among the best swimmers in the country, a pride for the swimming club where he has been playing for many years, the Barracudas de Gaspé.

It is a historical event. We are extremely proud. Every Gaspé is extremely proud of this successlaunches Jérémie Hamel, the head coach of the Barracudas.

Éli Pelletier has already participated in the Quebec Games in 2022 and 2023, but also admits that this new accomplishment is one of size.

It is still one of the highest levels I will go. I have already been [à des compétitions nationales]but this is like a checkout above, since they are games. You can’t just have time to go, you have to have your place in a team.

The young athlete estimates that he stands out in particular during the sprints of 50 and 100 meters, and that his best swims are those on the back and the crawl.

Éli Pelletier made his swimming debut when he was five, and quickly started competition around the age of seven.

At first, they were small [compétitions] in Gaspé, with the club. After that I started the regional ones, around 7-8 years old. I entered the provincial circuit just after the COVID. It’s not bad that I started performinghe specifies.

Jérémie Hamel stresses that in addition to his results, Éli Pelletier also stands out for his discipline and determination.

Eli, it’s an athlete who is super serious in training, he is his business all the time. It is really an exceptional athlete, an exceptional young person.

Like most competitive swimmers, Éli Pelletier dreams of one day participating in the Olympic Games, but he prefers not to think about this challenge for the moment.

I try to see it in step, and not to give me too big dreams of a shotbecause ultimately, if I don’t, I will be disappointed. I tell myself that having a smaller goal before is a good idea. I know what times I have to do to reach [les Jeux Olympiques]I know it’s still a big walkhe explains.

That said, Éli Pelletier already serves as inspiration for young swimmers in his region.

I tell young people, you may be the next Pelletier eli. Everyone has the ability to go far by working hard. This is an excellent example for the youngest, but also for the youngestindicates Jérémie Hamel.

Éli Pelletier was also appointed the inspiring athlete in March by the Quebec Swimming Federation.