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Ali Diel shows off the gold and bronze medals she won at the World Para Swimming Championship Series in France. (Image Credit: Facebook/ PA Sharks)
In the pool

Prince Albert teen wins gold and silver at International Para Swimming Competition

May 4, 2026 | 8:49 AM

Prince Albert’s Ali Diehl continues to make big waves in the pool.

At the World Para Swimming Championship Series in France (May 1–3), she won a gold medal and a bronze in two separate 100-metre breaststroke events.

The gold was in the Female U18 category, while the bronze medal was in the Open Women category.

Adding to the significance of the event, Diehl also successfully completed her International Para Swimming Classification—an important step that officially confirms athlete eligibility and sport class status for international competition.

Completing international classification is a critical process in para sport and allows athletes to compete at the highest levels under internationally recognized standards.

According to a social media post by the PA Sharks Swim Club, Diehl’s success in France represents a proud moment for the club and the broader Saskatchewan swimming community, reflecting years of hard work, dedication, and support from coaches, teammates, and family.

“Winning medals at an international championship while completing international classification is a huge accomplishment. We are extremely proud of her commitment, resilience, and professionalism,” they said.

Last January, Diehl received two of the highest honours in Saskatchewan sports and in Canadian swimming, being named Saskatchewan’s Youth Female Athlete of the Year and Swimming Canada’s Breakout Swimmer of the Year for their Paralympic Program. 

At the time, Diehl told paNOW she’s going to work even harder in 2026 as she gears up for her first Paralympic Games in 2028. 

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell