Ali Diehl (middle) is presented the Terry Fox Award by Mayor Greg Dionne (far left) and Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick (far right). (paNow staff/Nick Nielsen)

By Nick Nielsen

Gearing up to represent Canada

Prince Albert para-swimmer earns Terry Fox Award

Sep 17, 2024 | 5:08 PM

The City of Prince Albert started their council meeting on Monday with an award presentation for their annual Terry Fox Award, and this year’s recipient is 15-year-old para-swimmer Ali Diehl. Every year the award is handed to a young Prince Albert resident who most embodies the traits and inspiration of the Canadian hero.

Born without most of her left forearm, Diehl has been swimming since she was just seven years old and already has a ton of accomplishments to her name. Representing Saskatchewan on the national stage, medals at the Speedos Canadian Championships, and a gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke for girls 18 and under are all moments that she’ll treasure, but hearing the presentation for the Terry Fox Award and being compared to the Canadian icon was truly special to Diehl.

“I feel like it’s not real. I honestly think it’s super cool and such an honor to even be close to being sort of like him and it’s just super cool and amazing.”

Diehl was nominated for the award by one of her teachers at Ecole St. Mary High School, Mrs. Fetch, after seeing stories of her success posted on paNOW. Along with the support of her teachers, Diehl said that she has a great support group behind her that has helped her get to where she is now.

“Swimming is like a part of me and I’m just really thankful I could have my coaches and my family to support me and be there for me and be where I am now.”

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Diehl is currently training for her first chance to represent Canada on the world stage at a qualifying event held in Australia for the 2028 Paralympics in the coming weeks. A total of 47 people were invited to compete against each other at Canadian Nationals, and Diehl was one of nine athletes who earned the opportunity to go to Australia. While she just got back from Nationals in Toronto two months ago, Diehl hasn’t gotten into the full swing of training yet.

“We haven’t started our full training yet cause the season had just started, so I’m in the pool six times a week, but usually it’s eight times a week.”

For the most part, Diehl has been able to live a normal life with her disability, but that hasn’t stopped her from receiving criticism in the past. With her positive outlook and her competitive spirit, she’s been able to easily push those negative voices aside and focus in on the ones encouraging her to follow her dreams of competing for Canada on the world stage.

“Sometimes it’s difficult, but you learn to live with it, especially at my age. Obviously you’re going to be insecure sometimes, but you just have to not care about what other people think of you.”

Diehl is the only athlete from Saskatchewan heading to the Paralympic qualifier in Australia. She turns 16 in November.

The City of Prince Albert has been handing out the award yearly since 1987.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com