My Victoria: Beautiful City, Active People An Inspiration

By Stephanie Dixon, Times Colonist, September 16, 2010

My Victoria is a series of reflections by prominent Victorians from different walks of life about what the city means to them.

Stephanie Dixon is one of Canada's most successful competitive swimmers. Her numerous medals include a record five gold medals at the Sydney Paralympics.

Competitive swimming has taken me around the world. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to explore different countries, experience different cultures and see the incredible beauty of the world. However, the best part of travelling the world for me is coming home and being reminded that it doesn't get any better than this. Our beautiful city really is my favourite place in the world.

After living here for seven years, there are many reasons why I love Victoria, the beauty and weather among the top. But what I love most about this vibrant city is how active everyone is!

With people cycling to work, families walking their dogs along Dallas Road and climbers ripping it up at Fleming Beach, at any given moment the city is swarming with people out and about being active.

I believe the city plays a big role in promoting participation. Whether for fun, fitness or glory, the city has a program that will suit anyone and all interests, from beginner to elite levels of ability. Victoria reflects a culture of healthy, active living.

For years, Victoria has been attracting the country's top athletes as it continues to expand its world-class facilities and programs. My decision to move to Victoria in 2003 happened after meeting a coach from Victoria at an international competition the previous summer. I was inspired by his approach to sport, believing that success in sport could take on many external forms.

He told me that an elite athlete is not necessarily the fastest or the strongest, but an individual who is committed to putting their best foot forward day in and day out in order to reach the goals they have set out for themselves.

Even though my times in the pool may not be as fast as other elite-level swimmers with two legs, he recognized that I still have the ability to be competitive in my work ethic, dedication and passion to improve. He would take on any swimmer who was dedicated to a goal of reaching their greatest potential.

I wanted to work within a community that would support me in becoming the greatest swimmer that I possibly could be, regardless of whether I had one leg or two. I had a feeling that this coach was the right person for me to work with, and hoped that the city and university that he was associated with also shared his vision on athletics and success (and I would soon find out that I couldn't have been more right).

The support I received and continue to receive from the university and community of Victoria has been overwhelming. One of the proudest moments of my life was being named the University of Victoria Athlete of the Year following a gold medal performance at the 2004 Paralympic Games.

Since my move to Victoria, I have been infused with the energy of the city and have also participated in many recreational activities apart from my training as a swimmer. I have tried kayaking, hiking, surfing, rock climbing and sailing.

One of my favourite memories is when I was out sailing and met another woman who also only had one leg. As soon as she saw me, she asked what size my foot was. I told her it was an eight and she was overjoyed! Since she was the same size and had the opposite leg, she had finally found someone to swap shoes with!

The beauty of the city may be what initially attracts people to Victoria, but after living here, I believe it is the active lifestyle adopted by so many residents that truly sets Victoria apart. As someone who has big dreams to go after, I couldn't have chosen a more inspiring environment.