Hayden chasing Canada’s missing swimming medal
Posted March 14, 2012 7:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
By Marco Smits, special to CTVOlympics.ca
The 100m freestyle is undoubtedly one of the most exciting races in Olympic swimming. For some, it is the most exciting event in the entire Olympic program. For the Americans, French, Dutch, Russians and Australians who have historically dominated the event, winning the 100m is one of the greatest goals.
It is sometimes easy to forget that anyone other than Michael Phelps won a swimming medal in Beijing, but indeed, the 2008 100m freestyle final was won by Alain Bernard of France. Canadian swimming aficionados, however, remember the race for another reason: their country’s continuing struggle in the event.
Despite sending a parade of talented swimmers to the blocks, no Canadian has earned a medal in the 100m freestyle since the event was first held at the Games in 1896.
No Canadian has even reached the final since Dick Pound dove into the stunning outdoor pool in Rome in 1960. Beijing 2008 was going to be the place where Canada would finally break the spell. All –- and thus perhaps too much — weight was put on the broad shoulders of Canada’s ‘Gentle Giant,’ Brent Hayden. Hayden entered Beijing as the reigning world champion but stunned the entire aquatics community when he failed to advance to the finals, extending the Canadian 100m freestyle curse.
On Mar. 11, Phelps swam the second-best time in the 100m this year at the U.S. Columbus Grand Prix (48.49). Only James Magnussen of Australia has done better in recent months (48.05).
On Mar. 30, Hayden will step up to the pool in Montreal in an effort to qualify for his third and most likely last Olympics, eying the 100m freestyle once more. It will be the first time he will ‘taper and shave’ since earning a silver medal at the world championships last year, and the last time he has a chance to make a statement before the London 2012 Olympic Games begin on July 27.
