A Windsor teenage is calling it an experience of a lifetime.
13-year old Leia Pupatello has returned from the International Children's Games in Ufa, Russia, where she represented Windsor in the swimming competition.
She had to place in the top four in Windsor to qualify for the games.
Her main focus was the backstroke swim where she finished in the top 8 in the A Group.
Pupatello admits, she was nervous.
"It was very nerve wracking but exciting at the same time," she says. "You want to swim good, you want to represent your city, country and it was amazing. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Leia Pupatello (third from the right) pictured in Moscow Russia. (Courtesy of Sandy Pupatello)
She was pleased with her swims and say it gives her confidence moving forward.
"It was really fun and I know it is not the Olympics but it just makes me think, if I can be here at ICG, which I think is the Olympics, I can keep pushing and thinking of that."
Windsor's swim team at the International Children's Game. July 2019 (Courtesy of Sandy Pupatello)
She is a member of the Windsor Aquatics Club and will begin Gr. 9 at Holy Names High School in September.