We want to highlight inspiring athletes who stand out for their positivism, their willingness to push their limits and their desire to lead by example. Meet Xavier Plouffe and father-daughter duo Isabelle and Delphis Paradis.
At the recent XTERRA World Championships in Italy, Mr. Plouffe won a bronze medal in the 20-24 age group. In addition to being an accomplished triathlete, he is also one of the founders of Les 3 sports, an organization that helps athletes financially and contributes to the development of sport in the Outaouais region.
Isabelle and Delphis are two remarkable and inspiring athletes. Affected by progressive supranuclear palsy, Delphis, with the help of his daughter, managed to do a super sprint. Isabelle came up with the idea, and it didn’t take them long to enlist the help of those around them to make their dream come true.
Get to know Xavier, Isabelle and Delphis. Read on to be inspired by their story!
Q1. What are you most proud of in your recent accomplishments?
R1 – Xavier
What I’m most proud of is having a balanced life. I’m super proud of my performance in 2022, but what makes it even more gratifying is being able to do it in combination with my professional and family life. In short, the most important thing for me is to have an active lifestyle that allows me to realize my dreams!
R1 – Isabelle and Delphis
To be able to pull my father in the swim, push him on the bike and run, I trained for over a year. Crossing the finish line with my father and being able to walk with him when I’m holding him makes me so proud.
Q2. Who has helped you the most so far in your athletic career? Why or why not?
R2 – Xavier
It’s definitely my parents. Firstly for all their support and investment in me, but also for their approach to physical activity. From an early age, I was immersed in sport, but I never specialized in one discipline. My background is a little atypical, since it wasn’t until 2020 that I began my more competitive approach to triathlon. Through this philosophy, I’ve also learned to appreciate the training process, time spent outdoors and adventures undertaken rather than results and rewards. I think it’s made me a stronger athlete!
R2 – Isabelle and Delphis
First of all, my father’s courage motivates me. My training sessions with Nicolas, an athlete from the Mustang swimming club, and those with my running coach, Karine Lévesque Cloutier, with her boyfriend. I sincerely believe that to achieve such a challenge, I undeniably needed my loved ones and the people who believe in me – it’s a complete village.
I’d also like to thank my mother, who takes care of us every day and agreed to let us make this crazy dream come true.
Q3. Rank swimming, cycling and running in order of preference. Why?
R3 – Xavier
It’s a difficult question, because as the saying goes, the appetite comes with eating. It’s much the same with sport. My first love was certainly cycling, but over time I developed a stronger interest in swimming and running. The more you run, the more you appreciate those moments of escape, those breathtaking landscapes and that feeling of accomplishment after a good outing. Swimming in the pool is still the black sheep of my program, but open water has become a real activity with my girlfriend. Always accompanied by our little picnic, we often punctuate our summer days with a swimming session.
R3 – Isabelle and Delphis
Swimming, running and cycling. Pulling my father with a canoe is an incredible trip. For the race, I had a Renegade. This meant that my father could use the strength of his arms. I must admit that pushing my father up hills on a bike is a very demanding exercise!
Q4. Apart from triathlon, what is your greatest passion?
R4 -Xavier
I’d say I’ve made it my mission to enjoy life in the broadest sense. It’s as simple as admiring a sunset, discovering new destinations, spending time with family… In short, doing what makes us happy!
R4 -Isabelle and Delphis
I like sport. I love spending time with my family, including my little daddy. He’s an inspiring man full of courage.
For my father, he loves motorcycling, going to Florida, traveling and volunteering. Unfortunately, because of his illness, he can no longer travel, drive or do volunteer work. In spite of everything, his positivism is a lesson in life!
Q5. What is your ultimate goal in triathlon?
R5 – Xavier:
Of course, like most people, I have my sights set on doing the world’s biggest races and competing at the elite level in cross-triathlon. But when you think about it, my ultimate goal is to continue exactly where I’m at right now. That is, to love my sport, achieve personal fulfillment and have fun!
I also have personal goals. This year, I co-founded the Les Trois Sports team, an organization dedicated to helping athletes of all categories achieve their dreams. We organize events in the Outaouais region to raise funds to help the team’s athletes cover the costs of their racing season. The ultimate goals of Les Trois Sports are to contribute to the development of sport in our region through unique events, to promote healthy lifestyle habits and to help our athletes achieve their personal goals as much as possible. Follow us on social networks!
Website : https://www.lestroissports.ca/
IG : https://www.instagram.com/teamlestroissports/ (@teamlestroissports)
R5 – Isabelle and Delphis
Next year, I’d like to do a sprint triathlon with my father. However, he told me he didn’t think he’d be able to participate. Together, we agreed that I would do an Olympic triathlon on my own and that he would wait for me at the finish line. Unfortunately, my father recently had a bad fall and fractured a hip. He has just had a hip prosthesis fitted. In 24 hours, we nearly lost my father 3 times. What helped him recover was certainly the positive vibes from my mother, her children and grandchildren. You have no idea how grateful I am to have had the chance to do this triathlon.
Thanks again to Triathlon Québec, the city of Boucherville and my mother for allowing me to realize this dream, which is so important to me and my father.
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Thank you very much!
