Allen, Keon, Despatie headline Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018
TORONTO — Alexandre Despatie was five years old when he first started diving in his backyard pool. He loved it immediately and started dreaming big.
Despatie’s skills grew exponentially and it wasn’t long before he made his mark on the sport. He was only 15 when he made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games and his first world title followed three years later in Barcelona.
The two-time Olympic silver medallist, who was named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 on Thursday, reached his career zenith in 2005 when he won two world titles in his hometown of Montreal.
“It wasn’t about the medals, it was about knowing on that day that I was the best diver in the world,” he said. “I think it’s incredible to be able to say that I’ve accomplished that. It’s a big world out there you know.”