Hard work. Determination. Persistence. Family support. Heritage.
It all paid off for a swimmer from Vernon, who got a recent chance to swim for the country of her birth.
Hera Serzane, 15, swam for Latvia at the European Youth Olympic Festival in North Macedonia, which she and her family described as an "incredible stepping stone for her growth as an athlete and as a person. She now has invaluable international experience that will serve as a foundation for her future goals."
Serzane and her family moved from Latvia to Toronto in 2010, when she was just six-weeks old. The family lived in Toronto for 10 years where Serzane started swimming for clubs in Toronto and York.
The family moved to Vernon in 2020, and Serzane joined the Vernon Kokanee Swim Club, where she's been a dedicated member for the past five years, honing her skills under the tutelage of coaches Jason Brockman, former Canadian Olympian Steven Vander Meulen, and Renate Terpstra.
A former student at W.L. Seaton Secondary who now studies online, Serzane spent four months in Latvia earlier this year, fully dedicating her time to preparing for and competing in national-level swimming events.
Her performances there were nothing short of exceptional, as she consistently reached the podium, earning widespread recognition, and catching the eyes of the coaches of Team Latvia, who selected Serzane for their team based on her results.
That selection gave the butterfly specialist the opportunity to compete at the prestigious European Youth Olympic Festival. Serzane showcased her formidable swimming capabilities, and competing as a Latvian athlete is a testament to her connection to her heritage.
Serzane and her family have received critical support over the past couple of years from prominent Canadian-Latvia organizations , and .
"Without their belief in her potential and their invaluable assistance, which provided necessary resources and encouragement, Hera might not have had this amazing opportunity to compete at an international level," said her family
