Canada's Kate Sanderson earned a third-place finish in the open water FINA Olympic marathon swim qualifier on Saturday,&nbsp;qualifying her to be nominated to the Canadian Olympic team.

The 21-year-old Toronto native is set to make her&nbsp;first Olympic appearance.

"It feels great, I'm really excited. It hasn't really sunken in all the way yet," said Sanderson, who trains in Vancouver. "I'm really grateful and excited to be heading to Tokyo."

Hungarian Anna Olasz won gold in two hours one minute 55.50 seconds. Paula Ruiz of Spain took silver in 2:01:58.00 and Sanderson was third in 2:01:58.40.

Road to Tokyo gets real for Canadian swimmers at Olympic trials

After three different attempts to get into the pool, Canadian swimmers take the plunge as the Olympic trials begin in Toronto.

Canada's Kylie Masse (C) competes during the swimming women's 100m backstroke qualifications during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games at the Optus Aquatic Centre in the Gold Coast on April 6, 2018 / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA        (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Nearly 200 swimmers will compete for spots on Canada's Olympic team in Toronto this weekend.

Kylie Masse sets new Canadian record in 100-metre backstroke at Olympic trials

Kylie Masse broke her own Canadian record with a time of 57.70 to win the 100-metre backstroke at the Olympic trials in Toronto on Saturday.

Canada's Kylie Masse looks at the clock after setting a Canadian Record in the women's 100m backstroke at the Olympic swimming trials in Toronto on Saturday.

Olympic Swim Trials 20210619

A total of 40 female swimmers completed five laps of a two-kilometre course at the Parque Urbano de Albarquel venue.

Three-time Olympian Stephanie Horner of Beaconsfield, Que., finished 21st (in 2:05:29.30) and didn't qualify.

The pandemic meant less time in the pool for Canadian swimmers: What does that mean for Tokyo?

Canada is in a golden age of swimming with multiple medal contenders heading to Tokyo. But the pandemic may be the biggest challenge between them and the podium.

Canada's swim team was hit particularly hard by the pandemic: What does that mean for Tokyo?

Canada's Kate Sanderson, right, qualified to be nominated to the Canadian Olympic team by finishing third in the 10km open water FINA Olympic marathon swim qualifier on Saturday with a time of 2:01:58.

Canadian open water swimmer Kate Sanderson books Tokyo ticket at Olympic qualifier

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