"I have chosen to surround myself with people who make you feel good"

Samuel Hibbert’s demeanor is one that begs for action.

Start with his positive attitude. It radiates during a conversation and, even on a dull day, leaves an optimistic lasting impression.

Like everyone else, Hibbert does have his moods, sentiments, and perspectives on many things.

Yet, what becomes abundantly clear is that there are certain times when his viewpoint on select issues just won’t change. That includes an incentive to be the best he can in competitive swimming.

Alright, so he’s only 15 years old, but you can get hooked on his charming personality and politeness which comes with an intense desire to do things - the right way.

Hibbert wants to be a role model – just like other members in his family. His mother, Cathy, is a teacher and vice principal at Junior Academy, a private school in Toronto laying the foundation for many youngsters to advance in a challenging world. Curtis, his father, is in law enforcement with the Toronto Police Service.

You’ve likely heard his dad’s name before as an Olympian and the first Canadian and person of colour to win World championship medals in gymnastics. Yes, he’s the same person who owns five golds that made him the most successful gymnast in history in a single Commonwealth Games.

This story, though, focuses on the teenage Hibbert whose dream is also to make it big – but as a swimmer. His target: the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Always contemplating the road to reaching a date with the best in the world, Hibbert is midway through his years at a Crestwood Prepatory College, a Toronto private high school. That is where he is a multi-sport athlete, well-liked by students and staff, and registers excellence in academics. Back in grade 9, he joined the school’s High Performance Athlete program.

Memories are strong and important for Hibbert. Take, for example, those early years when he first learned how to swim. For him, it was at his grandparent’s house in Florida where, at the age of three, he swam across the pool.

That may very well have been a sign of what was to come – determination and a goal of reaching for the top. These days, he’s devoting some 17 hours a week between weight and swim training as a member of the Granite Gators Swim Team.

The Gators swim out of the Granite Club, a private family, athletic and social club with thousands of members. It’s a club that has had its share of issues in past involving equity, diversity, and inclusion.

As for Hibbert, who is Black and proud of his heritage, he hasn’t experienced any frustration or barriers while pursuing success in his sport specialty at a club that says it provides an inclusive space to all members of the community.

Times have certainly changed for Hibbert, too. He did recall a summer day and has shared a story about the time when some individuals had commented about the style of his hair and dreadlocks.

“That was one incident and it helped me gain a perspective about ignorance,” said Hibbert, a former Swim Ontario award of excellence winner after he displayed superior talent by earning four medals (three were gold) in one major meet. “There is arrogance in this world in so many ways. For me, I have chosen to surround myself with people who make you feel good - and have a positive outlook on life.”

In the pool, Hibbert has put up some impressive personal best performances – especially in 2023 at the Ontario Winter championships held at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, the Amanda Reason Invitational in Windsor, and the Toronto Grand Prix. At all three meets, his times showed astonishing progress. Constantly fine-tuning strokes, his progression has skyrocketed in the past few years.

While Hibbert specializes in the butterfly stroke, a review of his times at various age group and invitational meets in the backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley events all reflect compelling and ongoing improvement.

“What I continue to learn is that swimming is a sport that demands a lot of hours and a commitment to work hard to achieve success,” said Hibbert, who was born in Toronto and has a younger brother. “I’ve never looked at it as a racist sport, but it is one that welcomes all cultures and religions.”

Always one displaying a gutsy performance, every time Hibbert preps for a race it becomes the start of show time. His guiding philosophy is to always have respect for others.

“I had, and still have, role models in the swim community who showed me that staying focussed, always learning and working hard, makes it possible to show the world that anything is achievable,” said Hibbert.

“I like to stand up for people, like the homeless and others with mental health issues, because it makes me feel good. I am very empathetic - and want to help where I can.”

Hibbert’s story is part of a series launched by Swim Ontario that highlights athletes, coaches and officials who continue to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equity in the sport across Canada’s largest province.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.