Bravo, Julie !
BRISTOL
Over 200 people from the Norway Bay area joined together on
August 1 to cheer on Julie Brousseau, who was swimming for Canada in the 200 m relay with the Canadian women’s team at the Paris Olympics. Brousseau anchored the team, with three-time world champion Summer McIntosh swimming the leg before her.
Friends, family and community acquaintances gathered at Brousseau’s Great Aunt Linda Dent’s cottage on the Ottawa River. As a child, Julie learned to swim in the Norway Bay swim program while visiting her Grandfather Wilf and other family members. A big screen TV provided by WePC enabled the large group to watch the race, with the municipality providing tables and chairs, and the family supplying food and drinks. Brousseau’s parents were in France supporting their daughter.
The Canadian team finished in fourth place.
Brousseau (18) resides in Ottawa and attended Nepean High School. She spent many summers in Norway Bay as a youngster, learning to swim and gaining a
reputation for her speed in the water. Aunt Christine Brousseau recounted how Julie outpaced swimmers who had started before her in the 1.2 km race, part of the annual regatta held in Norway Bay.
Wilf Brousseau thanked the crowd for their support in a post-race speech, noting Brousseau never quits. “Julie is a dedicated athlete, a good student, disciplined and never boastful about her achievements,” added Linda Dent.
Brousseau now heads off to Florida to continue her training and education under a university scholarship.
– Carl Hager
