Brian Hill (swimmer)

Hill was born on 29 December 1982 in Duncan, British Columbia with a genetic retinal disorder which results in only ten percent vision. Since the 2004 Summer Paralympics, he has resided in Montreal, Quebec.[2] During his childhood, Hill's parents dug a 17-metre pool for him to swim in. "It was the first sport where I was able to train and compete with other kids at an equal level," he says.[3] He started competitive swimming at the age of nine.[3] Hill's girlfriend Karine Thomas is a member in Canada's Olympic synchronized swimming team.[2] After he retires, he wants to have a culinary career.[4]

At the age of 17, Hill participated in six events at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. He won silver in the men's 100 metre butterfly in 1:02.79,[5] finished fourth in the 100 metre backstroke in 1:10.39,[6] sixth in the 50 metre freestyle in 27.11,[7] eighth in the 100 metre freestyle in 59.23,[8] eighth in the 400 metre freestyle in 4:54.96[9] and tenth in the 200 metre individual medley in 2:35.39.[10] Looking back in 2008 on his results, Brian said, "Sydney Games were special because it was my first Paralympic Games and everything. The atmosphere, crowds and facilities were amazing."[3]

At the 2004 Summer Paralympics, Hill won bronze in the 100 metre backstroke in 1:06.97,[11] bronze in the 400 metre freestyle in 4:39.52,[12] finished equal fourth in the 100 metre butterfly in 1:03.90,[13] fifth in the 100 metre freestyle in 59.32,[14] fifth in the 200 metre individual medley in 2:31.07[15] and 14th in the 50 metre freestyle in 28.09.[16] About the 2004 Paralympics in Greece, Brian said in 2008 that he "was really able to feel the history of the Olympics".[3]

At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Hill finished ninth in the 50 metre EAD freestyle in 26.68[17] and ninth in the 100 metre EAD freestyle in 59.58.[18]

Hill won five medals at the 2007 Parapan American Games including three golds and two silvers. He won gold in 100 metre butterfly where he got a time of 1:00.52. He had tied the world record time with Canadian para-swimmer Walter Wu. He had also won another two golds and two silvers. He says "I'm pretty happy with the result overall. Technically it was very good."[2][19]

Before going to Beijing for his third Paralympic Games, Hill's preparation involved swimming about 120 kilometres in two weeks.[3] Hill said, "I completed about eight to nine workouts a week and spent around 18 to 20 hours per week in the pool,".[3]

At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Hill finished fifth in the 100 metre backstroke in 1:05.52,[20] 12th in the 100 metre butterfly in 1:03.25,[21] 15th in the 100 metre freestyle in 59.80[22] and 17th in the 50 metre freestyle in 26.84.[23]

At the 2009 IPC Swimming World Championships 25 m in Rio, Hill won gold in the 100 metre backstroke in a new record time of 59.30,[24] gold in the 100 metre butterfly in a new record time of 57.04[25] and bronze in the 100 metre freestyle in 54.66. At the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, Hill finished fifth in the 100 metre backstroke in 1:04.65.[26]

At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Hill finished seventh in the 100 metre backstroke in 1:04.97[27] and equal eighth in the heats 100 metre butterfly with Australia's Sean Russo in 1:01.61. In the swim-off, Russo defeated Hill with each posting times of 1:01.24 and 1:02.72 respectively.[28]

In 2002, Hill won the Sport British Columbia Athlete of the Year award in the athletes with a disability category. He won again in the next year.[29] In 2003, Hill was awarded the Blind Sports award from the British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association (BCBSRA).[30]

• Brian Hill at the International Paralympic Committee