Team Windsor Tops at International Children’s Games

Eight swimmers from the ages of 12 to 15 travelled to Leon, Mexico from July 9th to July 21st to represent Windsor, Canada at the International Children’s Games.

This can best be described as a Jr. Olympics with athletes from all over the world coming together in the name of sport and friendship.

Sean Duranovich, a Windsor parent, described it as “a transformative international experience of good spirited, yet serious competition which allowed our young athletes to celebrate their differences and similarities with youth from around the globe.”

The team took in all that Leon had to offer while they were there and had time to see the sights, learn the history and of course, enjoy the food! They spent one week prior to the games training to adjust to the higher altitudes and were honoured to share the pool with the team from Leon on the last day of training.

It seems the extra training paid off with some outstanding performances at the games!

Relay Results:
Girls’ 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 6th
Girls’ 4 x 100 Free Relay – 9th
Boys’ 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 4th
Boys’ 4 x 100 Free Relay – Silver

Individual Results:
Violet Duranovich – 100 Breast – 14th, 200 Individual medley – 24th, 50 breast – 6th, 200 breast – 17th
Avril Lei- 100 Breast – 13th, 200 Individual medley – 23rd , 50 free – 24th, 200 breast – 16th
Sophia Xu – 50 fly -16th, 50 back- 20th, 100 back – 30th, 100 fly-15th
Mia Dipierdomenico – 50 fly – 11th, 100 back – 18th, 100 Free – 23rd, 50 free – 13th

Nikola Lackovic – 100 back – 14th, 100 free – 25th, 50 back – 12th, 200 free – 26th
Logan Levack -100 free – 17th, 50 free- 10th , 50 fly- 26th , 200 free – 18th
Rhys Walda – 50 fly – 6th, 50 free – 9th, 200 individual medley – 17th, 100 fly – 8th
Gavin Schinkelshoek – 200 Individual Medley-10th, 100 and 200 back – Bronze, 50 back – Gold

As a team, Windsor placed 7th out of 34 countries at the International Children’s Games.

All members of the team agree that this is a once in a lifetime experience. One they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Through these games, they have grown as competitive athletes and global citizens. They were honoured to hold Canada’s flag during the games, to represent our country and the city of Windsor with pride.

Photos by Nancy Schinkelshoek.