Her silver medal at Rio 2016 announced a rising force in para swimming. The Canadian athlete commanded attention with powerful strokes and relentless determination.
A devastating back injury forced her to miss the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Many wondered if her career had reached its end. She answered those questions with a remarkable comeback.
At Paris 2024, she returned to the world stage with renewed strength. The swimmer earned two Paralympic medals that summer. She captured silver in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 100m breaststroke.
Born in New Zealand during her parents’ sailing adventure, she moved to Canada as an infant. Growing up in Caledon, Ontario, she discovered swimming at age three. The pool became her second home.
Her classification in S7, SB7, and SM7 categories reflects her hypochondroplasia diagnosis. She turned physical challenges into competitive advantages. The athlete consistently set Canadian records against the world’s best.
Beyond the medals, she earned a communications degree from Concordia University. Her story combines athletic excellence with academic achievement. She represents resilience in the face of adversity.
Rising from Early Life to International Success
Auckland, New Zealand welcomed her into a family where sports became the common language. The youngest of three daughters, she moved to Caledon, Ontario at six months old. Her childhood home buzzed with athletic energy.
Early Life, Education, and Family Influences
Her sisters carved impressive paths in different sports. Erin Routliffe achieved World No. 1 status in tennis after winning the U.S. Open women’s doubles title. Tara earned a full volleyball scholarship.
This competitive environment pushed the swimmer to find her own arena. She attended Mayfield Secondary School before studying communications at Concordia University. Education provided balance beyond the pool.
Initial Forays into Competitive Swimming
She joined the Dorado Stars Swim Club at age three. Competitive para swimming started at fourteen, relatively late for elite athletes. Her rapid progress surprised many.
At sixteen, she made six finals at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships. She won silver in the 100m backstroke, signaling her arrival. That same year, she earned Ontario’s Para Swimming Athlete of the Year honor.
| Year | Event | Achievement | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Local Competitions | First Para-Swimming Events | 14 |
| 2014 | Pan Pacific Championships | Silver Medal, 100m Backstroke | 16 |
| 2014 | Swim Ontario Awards | Para Swimming Athlete of the Year | 16 |
| 2015 | National Events | Multiple Canadian Records | 17 |
Tess Routliffe: Triumphs Amidst Setbacks and Injuries
A devastating training injury forced her to watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics from the sidelines. The spinal fracture at the L1 vertebra occurred during weight training, creating both physical and emotional challenges.
Overcoming a Back Injury and Challenging Moments
The back injury required extensive recovery time. Routliffe leaned heavily on her sisters for support during this difficult period. They became her unofficial nurses through the healing process.
She described many tear-filled drives home from training sessions. The emotional struggle matched the physical pain of the injury. Yet she remained determined to prove her capabilities.
Return to the Podium in Major Competitions
Her comeback began at the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials. She won the multi-class 100m breaststroke competition that year. This victory signaled her return to elite form.
At the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships, she earned three medals. The gold in the 100m breaststroke confirmed her full recovery. She had returned stronger than ever.
Despite Paris 2024 success, she felt she hadn’t maxed her potential. “That’s a little disappointing, but it’s how life works,” she admitted. The athlete’s high standards drive her continued pursuit of excellence.
Spotlight on Tess Routliffe’s Career Achievements
The medals from Paris 2024 added to a career defined by consistent podium finishes on the world’s biggest stages. Her collection spans gold, silver, and bronze from Paralympic Games and World Championships. This record places her among Canada’s most decorated para swimmers.
Record-Breaking Medals and World Championship Highlights
Her first major breakthrough came at the 2015 Parapan Am Games. The swimmer Tess Routliffe captured four gold medals and one silver, announcing her arrival. This set the stage for international success.
A bronze in the 200m individual medley at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships was a key milestone. It was her first career medal at a world championships event. The achievement validated years of dedicated training.
The 2023 World Para Swimming Championships became her most successful worlds. Routliffe won two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. This dominant performance confirmed her elite status heading into the Paris 2024 competition.
Paralympic and International News Highlights
At her first Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, she set a Canadian record in the 200m individual medley, winning silver. She also reached five individual finals, showcasing her remarkable versatility.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics saw her add a silver in the 200m individual medley and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke. These medals highlighted her resilience and technical skill across different strokes. Her career is a testament to sustained excellence in women’s para swimming.
Final Reflections on a Storied Athletic Journey
Rob Routliffe faced a difficult choice between two major sporting events in 2024. He chose the Paris 2024 Paralympics to watch his daughter Tess Routliffe over the U.S. Open, where his other daughter, Erin Routliffe, was defending her women’s doubles title. The Paralympics, he noted, come only every four years.
Erin represents New Zealand in tennis, a decision stemming from a lack of early interest from Tennis Canada. With partner Gabriela Dabrowski, she won the U.S. Open women’s doubles title last year. The pair also reached the Wimbledon final, cementing their top team status.
The family’s success across different sports is remarkable. Rob attributes it to athletic talent and mental toughness. Tess was in tears of joy watching Erin’s U.S. Open win, calling the moment unreal.
At the Paralympics, Tess Routliffe’s silver medal win was shared with teammate Nicholas Bennett, who won silver in the men’s S14 200m freestyle the same day. Their story shows how excellence runs deep, requiring sacrifice, time, and a bit of luck. The legacy of perseverance is the family’s greatest record.
