Olympic quest comes up short

Twenty-four Durham swimmers compete at Olympic Trials in Montreal

April 11, 2008

By Chris Brockington

MONTREAL -- Once every four years, everything changes in the sport of competitive swimming. Practices become more intense, the racing is faster, nerves tingle and the mood can only be characterized as frantic.

Twenty-four Durham athletes qualified to compete at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials held recently in Montreal. This was the largest, most competitive, Olympic qualifier ever held on Canadian soil.

The once mighty swimming machine hit rock bottom in Athens four years ago and has experienced resurgence on the international scene of late. Swimming has progressed significantly since the arrival Swim Canada CEO Pierre Lafontaine, who began his coaching career in Quebec and left for faster waters south of the border, coaching U.S. Olympians to gold. His success took him to Australia before he was recruited by Swim Canada in 2005 to take on the top job. What transpired can be described as miraculous, a re-birth, and you get the sense that every swimmer believes they too can strive for a spot on the Olympic squad.

Many athletes put their lives on hold for one shot at making it. It's not about money; it's about pride, passion and the chance to experience the Olympic dream. For Durham swimmers, the 2008 Trials have come and gone with no one earning a seat on the plane to Beijing.

But there is a silver lining for these aspiring athletes. In total, five individual swimmers made it through the preliminary rounds to earn the right to swim in a final (top 8) or consolation final (top 16). This is an achievement in itself when you consider the depth of talent in Canada.

Whitby Dolphins and national team member Jen Beckberger came close to wearing the flag this August, placing fifth in the 100-metre freestyle. She also finished ninth in the 50m free and 14th in the 200m free.

Justin Bronson from the Oshawa Aquatic Club had a solid 400m free, winning the consolation final, placing ninth overall. Courtice's Meghan Brockington, swimming with the Markham Aquatic Club, had an outstanding swim to place 13th in the 200m butterfly, while Oshawa's Alex Watson, now with the Toronto Swim Club, achieved a 14th place finish in the 200m fly. Julian Monks, Ajax Aquatic Club, had a strong performance in the 100m breaststroke, placing 15th. The Ajax men's squad proved they can compete with the best with a sixth place finish in the 4x100m free and 4x100m medley relays.

The year is 2012: the London Olympics are on the horizon. The thought of Beijing is a distant memory. Durham swimmers are training with an intensity that has never been seen before. They taste it! They know if the moment is right, they will be London-bound.

But for now London is four years away and the thought of pounding out 50 kilometres plus each week can be daunting. Today, however, is about congratulating these athletes who have represented our region with pride and dignity.