Benoit Huot says Thursday's final was his last Paralympic race

Canadian swimmer Benoit Huot announced that Thursday's 400-metre freestyle final where he won bronze would be his last Paralympic race, the Canadian Paralympic Committee confirmed to CBC Sports.

The 20-time medallist first competed at the Sydney Games in 2000 and went on to set numerous Canadian and world records. He was named Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony at the 2012 Games in London after a three-medal performance that included a world record in the 200-metre individual medley SM10.

"Finishing with the 20th medal, probably in my last Paralympic race, I can't be more happy," Huot said after the final.

Benoit Huot's family reacts to his bronze medal in Rio

8 years ago

Duration 1:40

Huot's family didn't know if he would collect a medal in Rio, and were ecstatic when he delivered.

Before the Games, Huot told The Canadian Press that he'd re-evaluate his career options after Rio.

"I'm 32 now and I think it's really difficult to put myself in the mindset of that I'm going for another full cycle," Huot said.

However, it appears the Longueuil, Que., native has made up his mind. While Huot left the door open to swim for at least another year, he's confident in the direction the Paralympic team is going.

"I'm very pleased to see where our sport is going so if this is it for me, I feel like there's a great legacy behind," he told The Canadian Press before the Games. "I feel like I'm leaving at a good place. I don't know what I'm going to do after but maybe I can still help."