CBC's Andrew Chang in Rio: A look at the aquatics stadium

I'm following two main sports at Rio — gymnastics and swimming — and there's a lot to be excited about the latter.

The man many people call the greatest Olympian of all-time, America's Michael Phelps, will be swimming his final Olympic races at these Games.

Canada's swim coaches are downplaying expectations. Although the team is a young one, they may manage to eke out a few medals yet.

• CBC's Andrew Chang shares his Rio experiences

They'll need to swim the best race of their lives and other, stronger swimmers would have to had an off-day — but these are the Olympic Games and anything is possible!

What will also be interesting to watch is how some of Canada's youngest swimmers will use this experience in Rio in preparation for Tokyo 2020.

It feels a long ways off, but it's what coaches and team staff will tell you they're most excited about seeing over the next few weeks.

Prep for the athletes

Prior to the games, the pool is filled with Olympic swimmers competing in the games. 

Like in gymnastics, spatial awareness is also important. The swimmers are getting a feel for the under and above water markers guiding them, so they know when the wall's approaching without having to see it directly.

This also allows them to meticulously count their strokes on every lap. The purpose here isn't to burn rubber — it's to feel at one with the pool.

The one thing warm-ups can't give swimmers is a sense of is the roar of the crowd. The splash of the water will muffle the crowd noise, but any distraction is still just that — a distraction.