Paradise para-swimmer Gavin Baggs won a silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle para event held at the Aquarena in St. John’s on Aug. 10. Not only is it the first medal Baggs has won in four trips to the Canada Games but it is the province’s first medal in these Games. Photo by Contributed photoArticle contentIt had to feel like a Canada Games medal was never going to come for Paradise para-athlete Gavin Baggs. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s represented his fourth time at the sporting spectacle and the 18-year-old had yet to win a medal. Article contentArticle contentHe’s been to New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta, but that shiny piece of hardware never managed to find itself around Baggs’ neck. Article contentThat changed on Aug. 10 as Baggs secured a silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle para event held at the newly retrofitted Aquarena. Article content “It’s really just fate if you really think about it,” said Baggs. “Three Canada games I’ve been to, one in Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick, and the one in Newfoundland is the one where I get my first medal. Article content“So, I feel like it was kind of meant to be.” Article contentArticle content📣🥈 MEDAL ALERT FOR TEAM NL 🥈📣 Swimmer, Gavin Baggs, secures the first medal for Team NL at the 2025 Jeux du Canada…Posted by Team NL on Sunday, August 10, 2025Article contentThe first for the provinceArticle contentNot only did Baggs’ medal carry with it a lot of weight for him personally, but it was also a big moment for the province as a whole. Article contentIt represents the first medal secured by a Newfoundland and Labrador athlete in the St. John’s Games. Article contentFor the swimmer, it’s a big honour to even think about having earned that title. Article content“It means quite a lot for me and the province,” he said. “To have a medal on the opening day for the home province is huge for Newfoundland.” Article contentThe medal win drew Baggs some high praise. Article content“An incredible moment was witnessed at the Aquarena today as Gavin Baggs captured Team NL’s first medal on Day 1 of the Canada Games,” wrote Jamie Randell, Team NL Chef de Mission, in a press release. Article contentKeep competingArticle contentBaggs’ time at the Games isn’t done quite yet. Article contentHe still has four more events in the pool, which could equal out to eight more races if his performances line up, and that’s not counting what waits for him when the calendar flips to the second week of competition. Article contentYou see, Baggs will also hit the track where he will compete in the athletics competition. Article contentHearing that might think it’d be too much for the young para-athlete, but the way he sees it, it’s about more than him. Article content“It’s really just that I love to compete, and it’s obviously an honour to represent my province,” said Baggs. “Honestly, not many people get that like honour, so to be able to do that four times now in Canada Games, it means so much. Article content“The first time, it was an amazing feeling, and that keeps holding up every single time I wear Newfoundland on the front of my shirt.”Article content
Gavin Baggs brings home NL’s first medal at the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s
