06/24/2026
About a year and a half ago, Sebastian came to me with a goal that most people would consider unrealistic: he wanted to compete in an Olympic sport.
After some research, we landed on modern pentathlon—a sport that includes swimming, fencing, obstacle racing, and the laser-run. At the time, he had limited swimming experience, had never fenced, and had never shot a laser pistol.
So we built a plan, and he got to work.
Over the next 18 months, he committed himself fully to the process. He embraced the challenge of learning entirely new skills, showed up consistently, and never wavered when things got difficult.
A few weeks ago, that work paid off when he competed in his first event—the Canadian National Championships.
What impresses me most isn’t that he competed in nationals. It’s the courage to pursue something completely outside his comfort zone and the discipline required to stay committed to a goal that takes years, not weeks, to achieve.
Sebastian is a great example of what can happen when determination, resilience, and action come together. It’s been an honour to be part of his journey, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
Coach Gaétan Boutin J-Sebastian Buitrago
