Canadian swimmer Aurelie Rivard to skip para world championship to focus on studies

VICTORIA — Canada’s Aurelie Rivard has withdrawn from selection for the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in order to focus on her studies.

The 29-year-old native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., said she remains passionate about the sport but wants to focus on earning her law degree at Laval University.

“I’ve always put swimming first,” Rivard said Sunday in a statement. “I took sabbatical sessions and built my life around this sport.”

“But at this point, with just under a year to go in law school and the goal of graduating in April 2026, I didn’t want to put off again.”

Rivard has won six gold medals at the Paralympics since making her debut in 2012.

“I’m still training and I’m still enjoying the process,” Rivard said. “LA 2028 is still in the back of my mind. This is my fifth cycle, and I want to approach it slowly and thoughtfully, without burning out. I was excited about the worlds, but this time it didn’t fit into my schedule.”

Rivard was scheduled to compete at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria on Monday and Tuesday.

Singapore will host the Sept. 21-27 world championship.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025.