Road to Trials

Welcome to the Road to Trials series, where we are featuring four swimmers in their lead up to 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Trials

Charles (Charlie) Giammichele wants to make it perfectly clear that he is not one for the gambling risks, or the contest of wagering – unless it just happens to be something very special and of personal value.

For him, it’s all about being poised for moments of success and the spotlight that goes with progress and excellence in the world of swimming.

Yes, that is fundamentally what fuels the 18-year-old from Carlisle, a small town with a population of 1,900 and about a 25-minute drive northwest of Hamilton.

Giammichele has his share of medals in the aquatic sport. Six Canadian records in 2023/24, and so many more achievements along the way. That also includes an even larger accomplishment. It’s one of advocating for others who, like him, have an impairment or disability.

The oldest of triplets, Giammichele was born prematurely and had a severe brain hemorrhage. That led to hydrocephalus – a medical term used to explain a build-up of excess fluid that puts pressure on the brain.

As for competitive swimming, that came quickly – at the age of 10 - for Giammichele. What may have given him that extra urge was watching his brothers have fun and compete in the pool at Burlington’s Aldershot High School.

His spectator days would come to an end. Patience wore out. Eagerness took over. The plunge came with the support of a remarkable club coach, who has been with him for the past eight years and may very well have been the one who made the call to initially get him in the water.

What has since transpired for Giammichele is a phenomenal story – one that has him focussed on trying to grab a spot with Canada’s team competing in the next Paralympic Games. Initially, he set his target for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Strange things do happen, and he’s hoping to be swimming much sooner – like this summer in Paris.

“Ever since I can remember, the dream was always on competing in the Paralympics,” said the academic honours graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary in Hamilton. “My times keep improving, but what is also really encouraging are the people who believe in me, and that’s very inspiring.”

Giammichele hasn’t let his impairment jolt him. On the contrary, he’s adapted, accepted, and is highly determined to excel.

“I am fortunate to have great parents, coaches and try my best to keep up with my brothers - be it in swimming and in life,” said Giammichele, who has no ego but remains wealthy in natural modesty.

His parents have seen the boost of certainty and poise that swimming has done for him. Despite memories of what he has experienced, the struggles and lack of coordination, Giammichele finds opportunities to shine, build confidence and strengthen his ability to strive for excellence.

Entering McMaster University later this year to study economics, Giammichele likes numbers, such as the ones that emerge from performances in 2024.

At a meet in Hamilton, he was clocked in 32.36 seconds for his S7 classification in the 50-metres butterfly. In Quebec City, his time in the 200-metres individual medley was two minutes, 53.77 seconds. Both were personal best times.

Then came a trip to Indiana for the Para Swimming World Series, where Giammichele left Indianapolis with silver medals in two events. Better yet, it was a tune-up for the Paralympic Trials set for May in Toronto.

Watching his adventurous growth in the sport, have been coaches Colleen Bent and Cody Bradt with the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club, which boasts a membership of more than 450 swimmers.

“He’s an incredible individual, always focussed on learning,” said Bent. “Not everything comes easy for (Giammichele), but he’s resilient, works hard and continues to surprise.”

Bradt said 10 male swimmers qualified for the Canadian Olympic Trials, but only seven will make the Canadian contingent going to Paris.

“These past five months have been superb for him with great times and so much success at his first ever international meet (in Indiana),” said Bradt. “There is still lots of work to be done in improving his times.”

Giammichele is being featured in a special Swim Ontario series of stories called “Road to Trials” and highlighting provincial swimmers with aspirations to make the Canadian contingent competing at the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, scheduled for Paris, France from July 26 to August 11.

* PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOE ROUSSEAU AND ROBERT WELLS

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.