Island swimmers inspired by 'crazy' Canadian Olympic pool times
'Watching that women's relay was a highlight of the last 10 years of swimming in Canada'
What does Canada's stellar performance in the pool at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games mean for young hopeful swimmers on P.E.I.?
Three-time Olympian Tom Ponting has just arrived on P.E.I. to coach the Bluephins swimming club, and he's excited.
`I like watching them to see what you can do.'— Evan Corish, swimmer
"Watching that women's relay was a highlight of the last 10 years of swimming in Canada, it was a fantastic race," Ponting told CBC Radio: Island Morning host Matt Rainnie of the women's 4x100 metre freestyle relay, in which Canada took bronze.
"I find it crazy how fast some of the times are that they get," said 13-year-old Evan Corish from the Dolphins swim club in Summerside.
"I like watching them to see what you can do," he said, adding he'd like to swim for Canada some day.
"It was exciting," said 14-year-old Alexa McQuaid from the Bluephins, who said she's been inspired to try to improve her times in her speciality, the breast-stroke, and "see how far it goes."
McQuaid is just back from competing at a national meet in Calgary in her age group, as well as in Montreal for Eastern Canadian championships in February.
Getting his feet wet
Ponting is just dipping his toes into his new job, and he's excited with the "fantastic" pool facilities at U.P.E.I. and is looking forward to developing young swimmers.
"I would like to see us having a nice-size team going to Canada Games and obviously, every time we cross that bridge, go and kick some butt on the other side," said Ponting with a smile.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Ponting coached for 20 years before taking the job in Charlottetown.
Ponting won two silver and a bronze medal at three separate Olympics over eight years.
Swimmers have won three medals for Canada so far in Rio — one silver and two bronze, all won by women. They're the first women's swimming medals in 20 years.
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Corrections
- An earlier version of this story identified a member of the Dolphins swim club as Adam Corish. In fact, his name is Evan Corish.Aug 10, 2016 6:00 AM AT
With files from Island Morning