Darcy Jibb thinks there aren’t many fathers prouder than he is of his daughter Mary Jibb.
The 17-year-old swimmer competes in her first event at the 2024 Summer Paralympics Tuesday morning at 3:30 a.m. EST with another three events scheduled this week.
Bruce Kruger organized a celebration for Jibb at Santa’s Village in Bracebridge on Aug. 29. Along with Jibb’s father, Darcy, a handful of members from Muskoka Paramedic Services, the Bracebridge Fire Department, and Bracebridge’s Mayor Rick Maloney were on hand. A video was recorded wishing Jibb well with her parents preparing to travel to Paris, France in time for her first competition with the plan being to show her the video before she jumps into the pool.
“I felt that it was important that we show our great support for her,” shares Kruger.
The celebration is one of many honours Jibb has received since qualifying for the Canadian Paralympic team in June. A banner has been hung across the Silver Bridge and the Bracebridge Falls were lit up in violet in July in honour of Jibb and Canada’s Paralympians.
“It’s been very humbling to see all of this,” says Darcy Jibb.
Once he touches down in Paris, he hopes to find a moment where can take a picture of his daughter in front of the Eiffel Tower, which has the Olympic rings displayed on it.
“She was given many obstacles along the way,” explains Jibb’s father. “She just pushed through them.”
