Huot puts 400m freestyle back on his programme

"The reason I put it [400 freestyle] back on the programme was to do it next summer in Rio. I'm happy, it's looking good for next year and I think this will give me the motivation to stick around and try to do it again."

Far from dialling-back on his programme as he competes in his 17th season, Canada’s multiple world and Paralympic champion Benoit Huot will go for the podium in the men’s 400m freestyle S10 at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

Huot came away from the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, with two silvers and a bronze medal, his best performance and largest schedule since London 2012.

He was particularly pleased with his last race, winning silver in the 400m free. Speaking immediately after the race in Glasgow, Huot reflected on his display: “It’s been a good week, I had a challenging year leading up to this so I’m very pleased with how it went, especially in this race."

The event had been absent from his programme for three years but his performance in the event has proven why it is still a successful race for him. "It’s the first time I’ve swam in the 400 since London,” Huot said. “I took it away from my programme because I always felt it was a difficult one for me but I know it’s a race I could do well when I’m in it and it’s another very good example of how I could do."

Having competed in his first Paralympic Games at Sydney 2000, 15 years later, Huot now has his sights set on Rio 2016 casting doubt on speculation that he may retire beforehand.

"The reason I put it [400 freestyle] back on the programme was to do it next summer in Rio. I'm happy, it's looking good for next year and I think this will give me the motivation to stick around and try to do it again."

As one of his country’s most accomplished Paralympians, Huot’s entry into Toronto 2015 has a very personal meaning for him. "Between you and I, it's one of the reasons I'm still in the water,” he said.

The dream of competing in his home country has been a noteworthy motivation for Huot and the reality is fast approaching: “We need to recuperate from this week but at the same time, try to aim for good times when we get to Toronto but it’s exciting."

Tickets for Toronto 2015 are currently available on the event's website and swimming will be shown live at IPC Swimming’s website. Around 1,600 athletes from 28 countries will compete across 15 sports between 7-15 August.