FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 May 2024 (Calgary, AB) – The 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Trials, Presented by Bell have recently concluded after seven exciting days of racing at the Toronto Pan American Centre. While the events primary selection focus is to select the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic teams, national junior team selections were also on the line.
A total of 118 swimmers representing thirteen Alberta programs battled for spots on the 2024 Olympic Team, 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, and the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Junior World Championships Teams.
Swim Alberta Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Swimmers
Olympic Team
Emma Finlin – Edmonton Keyano Swim Club
- Emma qualified for the 10km Open Water Swim at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar earlier this season. Emma is coached by Paul Birmingham.
Yuri Kisil – Cascade Swim Club
- This will be his third Olympic Games, having competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Yuri qualified to swim the 100m freestyle and will represent Canada in the relay events.
Rebecca Smith – Cascade Swim Club
- Competing in her second Olympic Games, Rebecca earned a silver as part of the women’s 4x100m Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 games. She is scheduled to swim relay events in Paris.
Ingrid Wilm – Cascade Swim Club
- Competing in her first Olympic Games, Ingrid will race the 100m backstroke and may race in the medley relay events.
David Johnson – Cascade Swim Club – Coach
- David was named to Swimming Canada’s 2024 Paris Olympic team staff as coach of Yuri, Rebecca and Ingrid.
Paralympic Team
Nicholas Bennett – Red Deer Catalina Swim Club
- No stranger to the national team, this will be Nicholas’ second Paralympic games, qualifying with strong performances while setting several Canadian Records and a World Record in the 200 IM.
Reid Maxwell – Edmonton Keyano Swim Club
- The 2024 Paris Olympics will not only be Reid’s first Paralympics but his first National Team event, after having a rapid rise this season. Reid qualified as the youngest member of the team and setting 5 Canadian Records at the Trials. Reid is coached by Paul Birmingham.
Haley Bennett-Osborne – Red Deer Catalina – Coach
- As coach of Nicholas, Haley was named to Swimming Canada’s 2024 Paris Paralympic team staff
Other notable hometown Swim Alberta swimmers earning spots on the Olympic team include:
- Emma O’Croinin (formerly from Edmonton Keyano)
- Apollo Hess (formerly from University of Lethbridge)
- Finlay Knox (formerly from Okotoks Mavericks)
- Lorne Wigginton (formerly from University of Calgary)
Junior Pan Pacific Championships and Open Water Swimming Junior World Championships
Swim Alberta’s future is bright with 10 junior swimmers named to the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships and the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Junior World Championships Teams.
Eight swimmers earned spots on the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, which will take place in Canberra, Australia from August 12-26, 2024:
- Matea Gigovic, Killarney Swim Club (KSC)
- Jordan Greber, University of Calgary (UCSC)
- Oliver Dawson, Grande Prairie Piranhas Swim Club (GPP)
- Parker Deshayes, Cascade Swim Club (CASC)
- Nicholas Duncan, University of Calgary (UCSC)
- Wells Ginzer, Okotoks Mavericks (MAVS)
- Laon Kim, University of Calgary (UCSC)
- Aiden Norman, University of Calgary (UCSC)
Supporting these swimmers, Swim Alberta coaches Alex Dawson (GPP) and Mike Meldrum (KSC) were nominated to the Team Canada coaching roster.
Additionally, two swimmers earned positions on the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Junior World Championships Team, competing in Alghero, Italy from September 6-8, 2024:
- Emma Finlin, Edmonton Keyano Swim Club (EKSC)
- Elleigh Wise, Cascade Swim Club (CASC)
At the Olympic & Paralympic Trials, Swim Alberta was represented by thirteen programs: Alberta Marlin Aquatic Club, Cascade Swim Club, Edmonton Keyano Swim Club, Glencoe Gators, Grande Prairie Piranhas, Killarney Swim Club, LA Swim Club, Okotoks Mavericks Swimming, Olympian Swim Club, Red Deer Catalina Swim Club, Strathcona County Swim Club, University of Calgary Swim Club, and the University of Lethbridge.
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For more information, please contact: Swim Alberta Communications comms@swimalberta.ca
This press release highlights the achievements of Swim Alberta swimmers and coaches as they prepare to compete on the world stage.