Parapan Am Games: Canadian swimmers deliver record finishes

Para-swimmer Morgan Bird capped off one of the most memorable days for Canada in the pool.

The Calgary resident won two golds Sunday on a day that saw Canada rack up 17 swimming medals at the Parapan Am Games — five gold, five silver, and seven bronze.

Bird won her two events in a 90-minute span.

"I did not see that coming," said Bird, 21, who has cerebral palsy. "It's been a busy night for me. "I followed both race plans well I think. I'm really happy with the results."

First, she captured gold in record-setting fashion in the women's 400-metre freestyle S8, while teammate Sabrina Duchesne earned a bronze in the same event.

Bird then established another Parapan Ams record in the 50m freestyle S8 to capture her second gold medal.

But Canada was far from done.

The Canadians swept the men's 100m breaststroke SB9 final, with James Leroux setting a Parapan Am Games record in the process.

"I feel very happy and excited because it's at home," said the 17-year-old Leroux. "It makes me feel very proud."

Isaac Bouckley and Alexander Elliot finished second and third, respectively.

Nicolas Turbide picked up his second gold medal of the Games and set an Americas record as he led Canada to a sweep of the podium in the men's 100m backstroke S13. He was followed by Devin Gotell and Tyler Mrak. 

"I couldn't hope for anything better," said Turbide shouting over the noise from the loud, flag-waving crowd. "I'm pretty happy that my teammates made it on the podium as well."

In keeping with the trend of the day, Zack McAllister set an Americas record on his way to gold in the men's 50m freestyle S8.

Sarah Girard and Aurelie Rivard took silver and bronze respectively, in the women's breaststroke SB9 final.

In the women's 400m freestyle S9, Katarina Roxon earned a silver medal.