Canadian Olympic medal winner dives into coaching in Regina

A Canadian Olympian has taken the plunge into a new life in Saskatchewan.

Three-time Olympic bronze medallist Meaghan Benfeito, who’s originally from Montreal, is coaching with the Regina Diving Club at the Lawson Aquatic Centre.

She’s spending some time here while her boyfriend, Alexandre Dupuis, plays fullback with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Benfeito made her Olympic debut for Canada in Beijing in 2008, but won her first bronze in London in 2012. The event was synchronized diving.

“It was honestly a dream come true. Being at the Olympics, there’s so much hard work that goes into it, so being there is already an accomplishment. Then, knowing you can be on the podium, you fight for that spot regardless,” Benfeito said.

As if winning a medal wasn’t enough, that day in 2012 was extra special.

“It was my father’s birthday … As soon as we were able to see our parents, I ran straight to him and I was like, ‘Happy birthday. Here’s a medal,’ ” she recalled with a grin.

“It’s just incredible when you see that all your hard work, it’s for something. At the end of the day, you’re always satisfied when you work hard (and) when you accomplish your dreams.”

She was far from done winning medals. Four years later, she took home two bronzes in Rio de Janeiro.

“Rio will forever be my favourite, not necessarily because of the medals. Just because I come from a Portuguese background, and Brazil being a Portuguese(-speaking) country, they kind of were cheering for me (when) they noticed my last name. So that forever will be in my heart,” she remembered.

In January, Benfeito and Dupuis lost everything in a fire that destroyed their condo in Mirabel, Que. Benfeito’s medals were among the casualties, but they eventually were replaced by the International Olympic Committee.

The couple overcame that adversity and now Benfeito is teaching youngsters her skills in Regina while Dupuis plays for the Riders.

Benfeito is really enjoying the city.

“It’s nice to be here and really have a slow-paced life,” she said. “In Montreal, it’s always on the go. There’s always so much to do.”

In 25 years of diving, this is actually the first time she has coached.

“I don’t want to coach as a career, but I enjoy being here and helping them, giving my knowledge of diving that I have,” she said. “Obviously it’s not perfect — I’m not an international coach — but if I can help someone, at least my job is done.”

The girls she’s coaching really appreciate having a teacher on Benfeito’s level.

Lauren Vickaryous, 10, is always excited to hit the pool.

“(Benfeito) is my idol. It’s just the best thing. Every time I come to diving, it’s like, ‘Yay, I get coached by Meaghan.’ Even when she’s not here, I come to diving so I can go to the Olympics and be like Meaghan,” Vickaryous said.

Chelsey Dorosh, 16, is also a big fan.

“Growing up, we always watched Meaghan on TV at the Olympics and during trials. So it’s super-cool to have someone that we always looked up to around to connect with,” Dorosh said.

She has also learned quite a few valuable lessons from working with an Olympian.

“Even just like having a bad dive or a bad event doesn’t mean that it’s over for you,” Dorosh said, “and that you can always get up and try again, and there’s always new chances for things to happen.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray