Olympic trials: Canuck swimmers to keep an eye on
Hundreds of swimmers will be competing for a spot on the Rio Olympic team at the coming Canadian Olympic swim trials April 5-10.
Here’s a breakdown of some of what’s happening at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre:
TOUGHEST BATTLES
Women’s 400m freestyle: Emily Overholt took over this event last year, but Canadian record holder Brittany MacLean is swimming strongly again after a season of injuries.
Women’s 200 backstroke: Hilary Caldwell, the Pan Am champion and 2013 world bronze medallist, looks to continue her winning ways, but Dominique Bouchard, who came second to her at the Pan Ams, is looking to flip that equation around.
SUREST WINNERS
Ryan Cochrane, 1,500 freestyle: The Olympic and world medallist could stop for a cup of coffee and still be the top Canadian in this race. Emily Overholt, 400 individual med
ley: She won a bronze medal in this event at last year’s world championships; her qualifying time has her six seconds clear of her closet Canadian competitor.
Santo Condorelli, 100 freestyle: He’s the only Canadian under 49 seconds — he’s actually under 48, which marks a world-class time in this distance.
OLDEST SWIMMER
Audrey Lacroix: Now 32, she has been the oldest national team member for the last three years.
YOUNGEST SWIMMER
Emily Overholt: She has held this honour the past two years, but it’s likely the 18-year-old will soon lose the youngest title to Taylor Ruck or Penny Oleksiak. They both are 15 and rising fast through the ranks.
PARALYMPIC TEAM
This week’s competition is also Canada’s Paralympic swim trials for Rio.
Nearly 100 para-athletes will vie for one of 22 spots — 11 for men, 11 for women. Kerry Gillespie