It all started 20 years ago, when Maxime-Valérie Olivier, who would go on to become an international-level S3 para-swimmer, was in secondary 4 (10th grade) at Joseph-Charbonneau School. The school’s para-swimming program had just been implemented by two teachers, Julie and Julie, who led students with mobility impairments in physiotherapy-type exercises in the water.
Maxime-Valérie’s potential as a swimmer quickly became evident, so the young athlete joined the world of para-swimming and began to take part in organized competitions, following in the footsteps of her younger sister Maryline, who was also a swimmer at the time.
Their father, photographer Serge Olivier, attended all their meets. Although he generally focused on portrait photography, he began to photograph his daughters’ swimming competitions, ultimately specializing in a completely different field of photography.
Father and daughter go international
That is how Serge discovered the Défi Sportif AlterGo. “I came here to take pictures of Maxime-Valérie, and I discovered the Défi Sportif AlterGo.” Serge initially believed he was attending a meet featuring para-swimming only. “Then I realized that there were thousands of kids participating in all sorts of sports.”
While at the Défi, he ran into a friend who was volunteering there as a photographer. He immediately decided he wanted to do the same.
In the years that followed, Serge continued to accompany Maxime-Valérie to all her meets, as the young woman progressed in her sport to the point of participating in numerous international competitions, including two Paralympic trials.
“Throughout her career, I travelled with her to help her out and to take photos.” Those trips were wonderful father-daughter experiences.
Eventually, Serge was able to fulfill his wish of volunteering at the Défi Sportif AlterGo as a photographer. This year marked his 7th year in the role.
A unique human experience
Why does Serge return each year? “It’s because of everybody here. Once you’ve experienced the Défi Sportif AlterGo, you can’t help but love it. It’s a unique experience . . . very human, very humbling.”
Having travelled with Maxime-Valérie for many years, Serge knows firsthand what it is like to live with a disability. “It’s a unique experience in and of itself. But when you come [to the Défi Sportif AlterGo] and you’re surrounded by such a high-energy crowd, it feels very special. I really wanted to be a part of it.”
Although he sometimes wonders if his motivations are somewhat selfish, he has concluded that it is a win-win situation. After all, he donates his time and expertise to immortalize the competing athletes’ special moments, and is repaid in positive energy.
“It’s a very enriching human experience. Empathy . . . you can never have too much of it.” For Serge, taking part in the Défi Sportif AlterGo is much like taking care of his daughter, who requires regular support, in that “you’re involved in something greater than yourself, in a different kind of experience.”
Thank you, Serge!
Although Serge has now shifted his focus back to mainly portrait and landscape photography, he will continue to serve as a volunteer photographer at the Défi Sportif AlterGo.
And although swimming remains his favourite sport to photograph—and perhaps it always will—he has discovered other sports at the Défi that constitute a solid 2nd place. “I’d say that my second-favourite sports to photograph are wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.”
