The road to the Olympics is paved in more than hard work
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, held from July 26 to August 11, grabbed the world’s attention with its focus on elite sports and international camaraderie. According to history.com, the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece.
Since then, they have become a major global event, highlighting the best in athletic performance and sportsmanship. This year’s 2024 Paris Games brought athletes from around the globe to compete.
Among this year’s participants was Ovesh Purahoo, a fourth-year Kinesiology and Health Studies student at the University of Regina (U of R). Representing his home country of Mauritius, Purahoo finished first in the 100-metre freestyle swim, marking a significant moment in his athletic career and bringing pride to the U of R and his home country Mauritius.
His appearance at the Paris Games, Mauritius’s 11th Olympic participation, underscores the country’s enduring commitment to sports on the world stage, with previous appearances spanning from Los Angeles 1984 to Tokyo 2021.
“Competing in the Olympics was a dream come true and a memory I will cherish forever,” Purahoo said. His journey to the Olympics has been marked by impressive achievements and the support of his community. Last year, Purahoo excelled at the Fall Breakout event, securing victories in the 50-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle, and 50-metre breaststroke.
His Olympic qualification was solidified by a personal best of 52.25 seconds in the 100-metre freestyle at the Olympic Time Trials in Toronto. He followed that up with 52.40 seconds in the same event at a meet in Vancouver – securing his place on his country’s Olympic squad. Purahoo attributes much of his readiness for the world stage to his experience with the University of Regina Cougars.
Reflecting on his experience at the Olympic Time Trials in Toronto, where he clocked a previously mentioned personal best of 52.25 seconds in the 100-metre freestyle, Purahoo described the moment as “surreal.”
He admitted, “I wish I had taken more time to fully appreciate the experience. However, I was more focused on the fact that I could have performed better if I had executed my race differently.” This personal best was a significant achievement that paved the way for his Olympic debut, setting the stage for his competition in Paris.
Purahoo’s success at the University of Regina also played a crucial role in his journey. Having excelled in collegiate competitions like the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle at the Fall Breakout, Purahoo acknowledges the differences between local and international events. “The competitions here in Regina are not on the same level as those at the Canadian national or world stage, so it’s difficult to compare them,” he noted.
However, he credits these collegiate meets with shaping his training and preparation for the international arena. He said, “Competing against top swimmers in Canada at events like the Canada West and U Sports conference meets was an incredible experience. These high-level competitions were crucial in getting me ready for the international arena.”
Coming from Mare d’Albert, Mauritius – a small tropical island in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Madagascar – Purahoo arrived in Regina in 2021. He was drawn to the University of Regina’s renowned Kinesiology program and the opportunity to receive an Academic All-Canadian scholarship.
When this scholarship was discontinued the following year, Purahoo faced significant challenges, but his resolve remained strong. “It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and resilience,” he said. “My parents have sacrificed so much for me to be here in Canada. I owe it to them to make the most of this opportunity.”
Purahoo’s success can be attributed to the strong support system he has found at the University of Regina. His athletic scholarship, which offered him domestic tuition rates, alleviated some financial pressure.
“Although I was an international student, I was charged domestic tuition, which provided a significant financial aid benefit,” he noted. “It also allowed me to work fewer hours, which was especially helpful.”
Purahoo also highlighted the support he received from his teammates and coaches, which was instrumental in his academic and athletic journey. He appreciates the efforts of his teammates, who drove him to practice, and the guidance of his coaches, who crafted training plans tailored to help him qualify for the Olympics.
“My teammates would drive me to practice every day during the winter. My coaches designed a training plan that helped me qualify for the Olympics, for which I am deeply grateful,” he shared.
“It’s with great pride that I represent my island. I’ve always dreamed of doing so since I was a child. I am grateful and feel privileged to be in this position, recognizing the many people who coached, supported, and helped me get here. I am doing this for them,” he added.
When discussing his experience of representing Mauritius at the Olympics and carrying the Mauritian flag on the global stage, Purahoo responded, “Staying in touch with friends and family regularly helped me feel connected to them, even from afar. It has been an honour for me, and I am truly grateful for the support I’ve received.”
Purahoo hoped his story would inspire young athletes from small countries like Mauritius, saying, “I hope people understand that despite the struggles, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. We each have the power to write our own stories.”
Regarding advice for other student-athletes aiming for academic and athletic success, Purahoo shared, “Take the time to truly get to know yourself – how your mind works, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Strive to be 1 per cent better every day.”
Looking ahead, Ovesh Purahoo has ambitious plans. “I have the World Championships coming up in December, followed by the Commonwealth Games in 2026. As for the next Olympics, I’ll keep that part a secret for now. As a student, I also wish to pursue medical or chiropractic school.”
From the shores of Mauritius to the prairies of Saskatchewan and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Ovesh Purahoo’s journey shows that no dream is impossible to achieve with hard work and heart. Together, we can go far, U of R!
