Langley Olympian Swimmers Attempts Their Shot at the Olympic Games

Two current swimmers and one alumna of the Langley Olympians Swim Club attempted to book their ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as they participated in the Canadian Swimming Olympic Trials that were held in Toronto, Ontario from June 19-23^rd, 2021. The selection meet gathered over 185 swimmers from Canada’s West Coast to East Coast.

Traditionally, Canada’s major international selection meet for swimming is held during April, but this was delayed due to COVID-19. Despite this, various swimmers had an opportunity to train longer since pools were shut down in various parts of Canada in the early part of Fall 2020. Only a select 20 swimmers raced each event without spectators. 200 metres and less events were swam in heats and finals format while 400 metres and more events were swam as timed finals.

Hugh McNeill (18 yrs) broke the Club Record in the 200 Backstroke with a time of 2:00.69 and placed 4^th. Hugh was also the previous club record in the event. Hugh also broke the Club Record in the 1500 Freestyle and placed 5^th with a final time of 15:47.89. Hugh was also the previous club record holder in this event. In addition, Hugh swam the 100 Backstroke and finished 9^th overall with a time of 56.37.

Bailey Herbert (18 yrs) swam the four events:

- 100 Breaststroke - finished 8^th overall with a time of 1:10.37

- 200 Individual Medley – finished 7^th overall with a time of 2:16.11

- 200 Breaststroke – finished 5^th overall with a time of 2:29.36

- 400 Individual Medley – finished 6^th overall with a time of 4:50.74

Alumna Josie Field (UBC Student) swam two events – 200 Butterfly and 100 Butterfly. She placed 5^th overall in the 200 Butterfly with a best time of 2:14.31. She placed 8^th overall in the 100 Butterfly with a best time of 1:00.98.

In terms of the Olympic Spots, Swimming Canada selected a total of 26 swimmers to represent Canada in the 2020 Olympic Games, including 16 females and 10 males. Of note in the roster is 37-year-old 3 Time Olympic and World Champion Veteran Brent Hayden swimming the 50 Freestyle and 14-year-old rookie Summer McIntosh making her first Olympic Games.

More information regarding the Olympic Team here: https://www.swimming.ca/en/news/2021/06/24/canadas-tokyo-2020-swimming-team-announced/

Coach Brian Metcalfe, personal coaches of both Bailey and Hugh, were pleased with the results. “This year was a challenging year due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Our last season was abruptly halted in March 2020, swimmers had many weeks off, started Virtual Dryland in April 2020, in person dryland programming in May 2020, and outdoor swimming in July & August at the City of Langley Al Anderson Pool. None of this we normally do on a normal basis since swimmers need the pool to improve and mature. However, we had to do what we can in order to stay in shape and address the physical and mental stimulation needs of our athletes in order to perform in important meets.  LOSC is very grateful to the City of Langley for accommodating our swimmers and opening their pool in June of 2020.  

Coming into the 2020/21 season, we had limited pool time and space availability early in the Fall of 2021 and only gained access to Long Course Metres programming at the start of January of 2021. However, I am proud to see our swimmers rise to the challenge and swim fast when it matters most. Most importantly, I would like to thank our members (swimmers and parents0 for navigating this tough and challenging journey with us.

Now, we get back to the pool and prepare our swimmers to swim fast at the 2021 Virtual Summer Provincial Championships. A huge congratulations to all swimmers that qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!”

LOSC Staff