Inspired Through Hard Work

“It shouldn’t be what you accomplish with a disability, but what you accomplish period. This is who I am, what I did and what I achieved.” - Aly Van Wyck-Smart

By David Grossman

A massive triumph, and rightly so, when Aly Van Wyck-Smart progressed from being an Ontario standout in swimming to a world record holder.

It happened in rapid pace – a true testament to this young woman’s determination, talent and ability to reach for the top.

Although it was brilliance in the water, for Van Wyck-Smart, it hasn’t been a one-time splash.

She’s a multiple world championship medallist in the backstroke and was awarded the Provincial Para Athlete of the Year at the 2019 Ontario Sports Awards. Her progress, courage, and dedication kept building and Van Wyck-Smart, along with others, knew she was destined for bigger times – as in the Paralympics.

Forget the 2024 Games in Paris, we’re talking about the showcase now set for 2021 in Tokyo.

Before her surge to the top, rumours had been swirling about a young female swimmer with cerebral palsy that was taking to the sport like a storm. The ascendancy of triumph in the pool, for a 17-year old, was confirmed - and then proven again.

To say there is nothing like setting a world record would be an understatement for the native of Toronto, who has used both the Variety Village and the Toronto Pan Sports Centre pools for training.

But, Van Wyck-Smart, although quite content, confirmed her ambition and objectives were far from completed. There was more in the bag of magic.

During a World Para Series event in Australia in February of 2020, she had been informed of a change to her classification - from a category of S2 for athletes with a higher impairment to S3.

The change would put her up against stronger competiton. Better times were essential.

“I wasn’t expecting the change, in fact I was shocked and it was hard to take,” she said. “But, it fired me up. It was a chance to work even harder. There was a plan, a training schedule with my coach. Work had to be done. I had to improve my times.”

Van Wyck-Smart was hoping to chop three seconds off her time, and had about four weeks to qualify for Trials. All she did was knock off an incredible seven seconds in just over two weeks – a personal best – and it happened at the Ontario Winter Provincials in Toronto.

“I was focussed, worked hard and kept feeling myself getting stronger – it was awesome,” said Van Wyck-Smart recalling that incredible period in her life. “I saw the time and I started screaming.”

She had reason, too.

A personal best in the 50-metre backstroke (S3) clocked in one minute, 10 seconds – a Canadian record. The irony is, before that clocking,  she had already qualified for the Tokyo Games.

Ryan Jones, her coach for the past four years, called Van Wyck-Smart “a pretty amazing individual”.

“What we saw from her at Provincials is what we had expected to come at Nationals,” said Jones. “She was very upset at the (classification) change and knew there was no option. The times had to be better. She was willing to work, her drive and focus were superb, was great at taking advice and communicating. This is all about her and the positive attitude. It makes coaching her easy.”

Van Wyck-Smart said she became quite interested in swimming at the age of 10. Four years later, she was into her first swim competition at the Pickering Recreation Complex. It was a race she remembers quite well. One she didn’t complete - and pointing to a case of nerves.

No problem. That happens to many. But what doesn’t occur to everyone is the phenomenal growth of success in the sport.

“My parents always thought I could be a high-level swimmer and I was determined to get past the nerves and anxiety,” she said. “I didn’t expect to perform so well. It proves what can be done when you focus on something.”

On the international scene, Van Wyck-Smart was daring and confident. She captured the crowd at the 2018 Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association World Games in Spain. Van Wyck-Smart took home four gold medals and set three personal best times. Three were Canadian (S2) marks in the 200 metre freestyle, 100 metre backstroke, and 50 metre backstroke. Her performance in the 100-metre backstroke was also an Americas record.

There would be more to come down the road for Van Wyck-Smart - the inaugural winner of the Breakout Para-swimmer of the Year presented by Swimming Canada.

At the 2019 Canadian swim championships in Winnipeg, Van Wyck-Smart set three (S2) North American records. Then, in her debut at the World Para Swimming Championships in London, England, Van Wyck-Smart won a pair of (S2) medals; a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke and a bronze in the 50-metre backstroke. Both in North American record times.

“I am inspired by how hard I work. I feel it’s a testament to myself – the blood, sweat and tears that go in to achieving,” she said. “It shouldn’t be what you accomplish with a disability, but what you accomplish period. This is who I am, what I did and what I achieved.”

Talking to Van Wyck-Smart, she’s like most her age – interested in music, movies, reading, baking and sketching. Working as an art therapist is in her career plans.

But there’s something else about this eloquent individual that stands out like a beaming signal. She wants to help gain recognition, awareness and bring more attention to athletes with high levels of impairment.

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.