Nova Scotia siblings riding waves to Paralympic Games

By Rachal Fleury

When Devin Gotell saw how much traveling his sister, Chelsey, got to do as a competitive swimmer, he decided he wanted to do the same.

Now, for the past couple of years, 17-year-old Devin and 22-year-old Chelsey have traveled the world together as members of Canada’s national swim team.

“I think it is pretty exciting,” said Chelsey, who along with Devin competes in the S13 visual impairment category. “I’ve been away from home for a few years and haven’t spent much time with him so it is great to have him on the team, not only as my brother but as my friend.”

The siblings’ from Antigonish, N.S. are currently gearing up for their biggest trip to date. They will soon head to China where they will compete at the 2008 Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing, from Sept. 6-17. The Games will be Chelsey’s third (she competed in Sydney and Athens) and Devin’s first.

“For sure it is cool to be going with Chelsey,” said Devin. “I think having her there as an experienced veteran, she’ll be great to help guide me through the Games.”

Chelsey and Devin will be joined in Beijing by their parents, Marlie and Glenn, who also accompanied Chelsey to Sydney and Athens.

 “They are quite excited, but are getting quite used to (going to the Games) as well,” said Devin. “It is going to be nerve wracking for them to watch both of us.”

Chelsey’s Path

Chelsey joined the Antigonish Aquanauts Swim Club at age eight after being encouraged by a friend to try out.

She began competing nationally three years later, and qualified for her first Paralympic Games at age 14. At the Sydney Games in 2000, Chelsey won a silver medal and three bronze. In 2004 in Athens, she won a gold medal and three bronze.

Other career highlights include, winning three bronze medals at the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa, and two gold, two silver and one bronze at the 2007 Parapanamerican Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Chelsey is the current world record holder in the 50m and 200m backstroke.

Devin’s Story

Devin joined the Antigonish Aquanauts at age 13 and quickly made an impact, winning gold in the 100m IM at the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina, SK.

He has since competed at the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships and brought home three silver medals and three bronze from the 2007 Parapanamerican Games.

After Beijing, Devin, who recently finished high school, will return to Nova Scotia where he plans to attend St. Francis Xavier University to pursuit a career in social work. He will continue to concentrate on his swimming with his sights set on the 2012 Paralympic Summer Games in London, England.

“I’ll be aiming for that as my peak performance,” he said.

For Chelsey, who will be returning to McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, for the fourth year of her psychology degree, London is an unknown.

“Right now I’m keeping my options open and I am going to take it one day at a time,” she said. “My next step is to finish my degree and eventually I want to go into massage therapy and do sport massage. I do know I’ll keep swimming internationally after Beijing... I have no set retiring date.”

Chelsey has some lofty goals left to accomplish before she does retire, including qualifying for nationals in able-bodied swimming, as well as breaking the world record in the 200m IM and the 100m backstroke.

In Beijing, Chelsey will compete in the 50m, 100m, 400m freestyle; 100m backstroke; 100m butterfly; 200m IM. Devin is competing in the 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 200m IM and 400m freestyle.