Mont-Tremblant’s golden mermaid
Madeleine “Mado” Sévigny Lanthier arrived at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, Qatar, a world class swimming champion. When she departed, she was a legend.
World Aquatics, the exclusive world-governing body for all water sports, in February welcomed to Qatar over 2,600 athletes competing from 204 countries. There was not a woman in her age group that could beat Mado, the 80-year-old grandmother from Mont-Tremblant.
Taking home gold
A beloved member of Club de Natation Mont Tremblant (CNMT), Mado was accompanied on her excursion to the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East by her friend and training partner Stéphanie Deschamps.
While Stéphanie took her own fair share of wins, including a bronze medal in the 800-metre freestyle in the 45-49 women’s age group, she was delighted to watch Mado go undefeated throughout the entire event.
Mado swept the freestyle swimming competitions, taking gold in each of the 50-metre, 100-metre, 200-metre, 400-metre and 800-metre distances, and setting Canadian records in each of the 400-metre and 800-metre distances.
For statistics aficionados, Mado swam the 100-metre distance in just 1 minute and 28 seconds. She covered the 50-metre distance is just 37.69 seconds, which was 10 seconds ahead of second place, and 3 seconds faster than first place in the younger age group.
A winning example
Although Mado relishes the top step of the podium, winning is not her end game. She is an ambassador for living life to the fullest, having stayed fit and active throughout her life.
“Regardless of your age, give swimming a try,” Mado urges. CNMT coach Loredana Horvat agrees: “The water does not know how old you are. Take a dive into fitness with CNMT.”
As to the future? Mado already has her eye on her next challenge: the World Aquatics Masters Championship in Singapore in 2025.
©Marie-Hélène Lanthier — photos:
1) Stéphanie Deschamps & Madeleine Sévigny Lanthier 2) Madeleine Sévigny Lanthier podium 800 mètres 3) Stéphanie Deschamps podium 4) Madeleine Sévigny Lanthier en action 5) Stéphanie Deschamps en action 6) Stéphanie Deschamps 7) Madeleine Sévigny Lanthier
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Cathy Bergman143 Posts
Cathy Bergman est devenue athlète de façon inopinée à un âge relativement avancé. Elle nous montre qu’il n'est jamais trop tard pour retrouver la santé et la forme. Cathy Bergman is an accidental athlete who found health and fitness late in life. She shows us that is never too late to get healthy and fit.
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