From the Muskoka Aquatic Club (MUSAC):
Mary Jibb is in the midst of a banner season representing the Muskoka Aquatic Club on the national and international Stage. With recent successes at Eastern Canadian Championships and the Citi Para Swimming World Series, followed by racing at the European Para Championships in Madeira, Portugal, Jibb’s journey to the top of para swimming in Canada is nothing short of extraordinary.
As a competitive swimmer for nearly 10 years, Mary’s road to success hasn’t been without challenges. A successful regional level athlete for many years, she worked tirelessly to reach the provincial level but fell just short each time. That’s when Mary discovered that due to a medical condition, she was eligible to compete as a para athlete. In 2012 at the age of 4, Mary suffered a left basal ganglia stroke with focal vasculitis which left her with a myriad of physical impairments. Due to the impairments caused by her stroke, Mary was first officially classified as an S10 para swimmer. In an effort to create a fair and equal competitive field, all para swimmers are classed based on their level of ability and impairment, S1 being the most physically impaired, S10 the least physically impaired, S11-13 include visual impairments and S14 intellectual impairments. As an S10 athlete, Mary experienced much success on the provincial and national stage including countless trips to the podium.
Last season, Jibb earned top honours in Canada as a National Champion winning gold at Canadian World Trials and then gold again at Canadian Nationals last July. Following her success at Nationals, she set her sights on earning a spot on Canada’s Paralympic team for Paris 2024. Unfortunately, she experienced considerable setbacks in her training as she felt her physical condition progressively worsen. She experienced numbness and tingling on her right side from her hands down to her feet. In addition, her mild dystonia on her right side became more severe causing constant muscle clenching and cramping in her right foot and calf. Despite rigorous training and her best efforts, she was not able to set any new personal bests. After discussing her condition with coaches within Swim Ontario and Swimming Canada, she earned a spot to be re-classified.
Through months of extensive testing and traveling, Mary continued to train to prepare for Canadian Paralympic Trials. At Eastern Canadian Championships in Quebec City, she earned her Canadian S9 classification. In Indianapolis at the Citi Paraswimming World Series, Mary was examined by top professionals and earned her International classification as an S9 swimmer, keeping her dream of the paralympics alive.
Managing her training, testing, and racing all at once in such a short period of time was no small feat. Despite Mary’s arduous schedule, she was able to perform well at all key events that took her from Canada, to the US, to Portugal. At Eastern Canadian Championships held in Quebec City in March 2024, Jibb earned a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle and silver medals in the 100-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, and 200-meter individual medley. She put on quite a show adding to her considerable accolades by setting a new Canadian record in the S9 category, claiming bronze in the 50-meter freestyle, posting a time of 29.86 seconds.
Her success on home soil was just the beginning. In mid-April, Jibb made her international debut at the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Indianapolis. Achieving her recent international classification in the S9 category, she seized the opportunity to compete on the global stage. Her performances did not disappoint, securing a bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke and gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, and 200-meter individual medley in the youth age category. In addition to topping the podium in multiple events, she set another Canadian record in the 50 meter butterfly in the S9 category. At European Championships in Portugal, Mary added a 6th place finish in the 200 individual medley to her growing list of accomplishments.
Upon her return, Jibb is focused on the Canadian Paralympic Trials, held in Toronto from May 13-19, where she will vie for a chance to fulfill her paralympic dreams. With the unwavering support of her coaches, teammates, and the entire MUSAC community, Mary Jibb will race to secure a coveted spot on Team Canada.
All races will be streamed live on the Swimming Canada website. Please join us in cheering Mary on at Canadian Paralympic Trials! Go Mary Go!
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