Olympic dreams come true for two U of R students

Two students from the University of Regina are set to experience the time of their sporting lives. Ovesh Purahoo, a Kinesiology and Health Studies student, and Kenzie Priddell, a second-year Education student, are competing on the world stage at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Their journey to the iconic sporting event has demanded years of dedication and hard work, as well as the support of friends, family, and the University community.

Originally from Mare d’Albert, Mauritius, Purahoo - an exceptional swimmer for the University of Regina Cougars - will compete for his home country at the Paris Games in the 100-metre freestyle. Known for his versatility, Purahoo has a knack for consistently improving his personal best time.

It is hard to put into words what it means to represent Canada at the highest athletic level. It is truly a dream come true, something I could never have imagined achieving. I feel so proud to be here and to experience this journey with my team. — Kenzie Priddell, Faculty of Education student.

Last year, at the season-opening Fall Breakout, he won the 50-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle, and 50-metre breaststroke events, marking an impressive start to the season. His qualification for the Olympics was helped by his performance in the 100-metre freestyle at the Olympic Time Trials in Toronto where he clocked a time of 52.25 seconds, a personal best. He followed that up with a 52.40 seconds in the same event at a meet in Vancouver - securing his place on his country’s Olympic squad.

“I’m looking forward to the Olympic experience,” says Purahoo whose goal is to swim a personal best at the Games. “I’m looking forward to feeling what it’s like to be an Olympian, witness sports at the highest level on the planet, learn from the best, and bring this knowledge back to Regina to make it applicable to my training so I can reach the next level.”

For Priddell, an artistic swimmer (formerly known as synchronized swimming), she first learned about her sport through a “See it, Try it” pamphlet given to her at school. Growing up with a pool in her backyard, and loving being in the water, fueled her passion. Pursuing a career in psychology, Priddell looks forward to experiencing everything Paris has to offer.

“It is exciting to be surrounded by the best athletes in the world and know that each of us has worked so hard to live out our dreams,” she says.

Balancing rigorous training schedules with academic commitments requires a high level of discipline and time management – something both Purahoo and Priddell have mastered. Their ability to maintain academic excellence while excelling in their respective sports reflects their strong work ethic and organizational abilities.

Purahoo's commitment to his sport is matched by his dedication to academics – he has earned Academic All-Canadian honours for three consecutive years. In his fourth year of a Kinesiology degree, majoring in human kinetics, he initially was focused on becoming a chiropractor – now he is exploring options in the field of orthopaedics. “I want to go as far as possible in my professional career, challenge myself, and serve, so when I look back, I know I’ve done everything I wanted to,” he says.

As for Priddell, her approach to combining studies and sports is one of balance.

“I think the most important thing is finding a balance that best supports my goals,” she says. “When deciding on how many classes to take, I consider my upcoming competitions and the demands of our training schedule. This past year, the best decision for me was to take a break from my studies and focus my energy on preparing for the Olympic Games.”

The anticipation of competing in Paris stirs up a mixture of excitement and nerves in the pair. The Olympics are a unique platform where athletes from around the world come together, not just to compete, but also celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and unity. Purahoo and Priddell are eager to experience this camaraderie and to showcase their talents on the global stage.

“It is hard to put into words what it means to represent Canada at the highest athletic level,” says Priddell. “It is truly a dream come true, something I could never have imagined achieving. I feel so proud to be here and to experience this journey with my team.”