Team Manitoba swimmer following in her parents’ footsteps at Canada Summer Games
Posted August 10, 2025 5:35 pm.
Last Updated August 11, 2025 9:15 am.
Sunday was the first day of competition for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, featuring top youth athletes in various sports from each province.
One of Team Manitoba’s swimming competitors is 15-year-old Sadie Blacher. It shouldn’t be a surprise either, given that her father John is a 1989 Canada Games alum for Volleyball, her mother Rhiannon Leier-Blacher is a 1993 alum for swimming, and she also was a two-time Olympian in 2000 and 2004.
“I think it’s really cool to be like following my parents, and watching them watch me compete, it’s really cool being here knowing that they also competed in the Canada Games,” said Blacher.
“It does add a little pressure, but it is also nice having parents who know the sport, and how to be an athlete, and how to help you with your sport.”
Leier-Blacher adding, “Seeing her march out for the opening ceremonies last night, and being on the pool with everybody cheering just makes me really happy and proud. And you know I think I probably have more tears and emotion than when I competed for sure, because it’s your child and you know you’re excited for them, so it’s so exciting that she’s part of this.”
Blacher already competed in two events on Sunday, earning a win in the first heat of the 4 by 200m women’s relay.
“I was nervous, I was really happy with how we did in our relay, I felt okay with how I did in the 1500, I was happy how I finished it,” she explained.
Blacher still has multiple events left over the next two weeks, saying that she’s focused on medals, but more importantly, achieving personal best times. For the Blacher family, they’re enjoying the moment and soaking it all in.
“This is such a great experience, and go team ‘toba! Go all of our Manitoba athletes! And even watching from all over the country, actually, being there at the opening ceremony’s I felt a lot of pride for Canada, and we’re pretty lucky to be able to compete at these games and have these games,” said Leier-Blacher.
The games run until August 25th.
