Vancouver/CMEDIA: A 98-year-old woman, Betty (Elizabeth) Brussel, who hails from Surrey, B.C., has been granted the Swimming Excellence Award, given out annually to a Masters swimmer who has consistently demonstrated outstanding results at the highest levels of competitions in Masters swimming.
Brussel is participating in the 2023 Speedo Canadian Masters Championships at the MNP Community and Sport Centre.
Though the competition just began on Friday, Brussel was among three athletes and coaches being recognized at the competition for their contributions and excellence in and out of the pool.
“I was totally surprised, I never expected it,” Brussel said in a news release.
“You know, winning has never been the most important thing to me. I was always happy that I could still do it. I was just as happy if I had a good time. I am competitive, I go for it, I have a lot of willpower, but it’s not the most important thing to me.”
Evan after surviving a heart attack, Brussel did not waver in her 30 years as a competitive swimmer.
“(I) always go back to swimming because once you are back in the pool, you forget everything,” she said.
Brussel, who lives independently does not have any complex medical conditions other than hearing aids, was reported to say that there’s no big secret to her athleticism or her longevity.
“(It’s) nothing special. I do walk a lot and I worked all my life.”
#SwimmingExcellenceAward; #BettyBrussel
