Canadian diver Meaghan Benfeito loses every little thing in fireplace, including Olympic medals

Tragedy struck the lives of Canadian diver Meaghan Benfeito and her companion, soccer player Alexandre Dupuis, as the dwelling they shared together in Mirabel, Que., burned to the ground after a fireplace broke out of their constructing on Thursday evening.

The 31-365 days-outdated Montreal native used to be dwelling by myself when the blaze started, however she used to be in a scrape to hasty spin to security. Sadly, her belongings and prized possessions had been unable to be saved, including her three Olympic medals and two Pan Am Video games medals.

“She correct had time to pass away with a coat on and her scarf,” mentioned Marie-Annick L’Allier, who serves as Benfeito’s public representative.

Even her automobile, parked in the underground storage, used to be lost in the fireplace. L’Allier mentioned the fireplace started when a barbecue propane tank exploded on the balcony of a nearby unit. Benfeito used to be among these who known as 911.

Mental strength

Even if she is understandably heartbroken and in shock, Benfeito’s trip as a high-stage athlete has helped present grand wished solace precise thru this complex time.

She has been in a scrape to count on the mental strength she developed thru her years of intense training and opponents in assure to compose it thru the tragedy.

“She’s an Olympic athlete, and how they react. They’re correct in adversity,” L’Allier mentioned.

“She used to be brilliant sturdy today, a brilliant sturdy girl.”

Above all else, L’Allier mentioned Benfeito is correct joyful that she and Dupuis are safe.

Replacement medals

There used to be some correct news concerning her invaluable medals, as both Diving Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee are in the technique of discovering a acknowledge so Benfeito can receive replace medals.

“Diving Canada and the Canadian Olympic committee had been brilliant instant on attempting to salvage replicas of these medals,” L’Allier mentioned. “[Benfeito] doesn’t know if it’s coming from the organizing committee who has leftover medals that will seemingly be given to Meaghan, or if it’s the IOC, who has the molds the medals are in line with.

Aged diving teammate Mélanie Rinaldi additionally space up a GoFundMe web page for Benfeito and Dupuis with the aim of getting the couple support on their toes. As of Friday evening, a complete of $13,282 had been raised with a conception to realize the aim aim of $100Good ample.

Dupuis, a fullback for the CFL’s Edmonton Soccer Crew, took to Instagram on Friday evening to insist gratitude on behalf of he and Benfeito.

“I wish I’m succesful of also receive the words to expose you how grateful I am for all the admire and strengthen you guys sent me and @megbenfeito!”

L’Allier mentioned that Benfeito is currently in correct hands and being taken care of by family.

Olympic uncertainty

L’Allier says Benfeito, admire other Canadian Olympic hopefuls, has additionally been facing the uncertainty surrounding the Tokyo Video games.

Benfeito has stated that her aim is to grab gold in the 10m synchro and 10m particular individual events on the 2020 Video games. She and her diving companion, Caeli McKay, secured two spots for Canada in Tokyo in the ladies’s 10m platform tournament after the pair qualified for the closing on the arena aquatics championships in 2019.

Benfeito claimed bronze in the 10m synchronized dive on the Summer Video games in 2012 and 2016 alongside Roseline Filion. She additionally won bronze in the 10m particular individual tournament on the 2016 Olympics.

WATCH | Olympic Flashback: Benfeito, Filion attain podium in Rio:

Canada’s Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion claim girls’s 10m platform synchro bronze at 2016 Summer Olympics. Benfeito additionally won the bronze medal in the actual individual 10m platform tournament. 0: 57