Nova Scotia swimmer chases cheesecake

Maxim Thibault is a swimmer from Bedford, Nova Scotia, who is competing from Aug. 12-14 at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026.

At the Big Marble Go Centre, Thibault is racing in 100m freestyle, 50m and 100m breaststroke, and the 100m medley.

Swimming at his second multi-sport Games in two years, he reflected in his Games profile on his Canada Games experience from 2025 in St. John’s, NL.

“It was my first national competition and it was an incredible experience,” wrote Thibault. “I was really proud to represent my province and also Special Olympics and inclusion in sports.”

Swimming at the Canada Games features athletes competing in Special Olympics disciplines, para-disciplines, and disciplines for athletes without disabilities.

At the pool in Medicine Hat, amid cowbells and cheering fans, Thibault said the atmosphere here is similar: “I feel it’s just the same as last year. The feeling of the pool, and it's a bit crowded.”

As Thibault chases his goals this week, he highlighted two aspects beyond swimming that he wants to focus on: “Have fun, as much as I can, and just enjoy the moment as long as it lasts.”

In the pool, as he noted in his profile, his motivation is undoubtedly unique.

“My mom always jokes with me before a race that I should pretend there is a cheesecake at the end of the pool and I have to swim the fastest if I want a piece,” wrote Thibault. “We say ‘get the cheesecake!’ before each race.”

Hoping to achieve his dreams at the Games this week, Thibault will continue to race until the swimming competition wraps up on Friday, all the while enjoying one of his favourite parts of being here: Medicine Hat’s hospitality.

The schedule for all competition and livestream links can be found online: socmedhat2026.ca

— story by Peter Reimer, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games