MONTREAL, May 28. World-class swims by Joanne Malar and Rick Say highlighted the first day of competition at the Canadian Olympic Trials being held in Montreal, Quebec, at the Olympic Pool, site of the
1976 Olympic Games.
Malar, 21, led from start to finish as she clocked 4:42.72 in the women's 400 meter individual medley. The time is the third fastest in the world this year, behind only Japan's Yasuko Tajima's 4:39.13 and Ukraine's Yana Klochkova's 4:40.33. Kelly Doody finished seven-and-a-half second behind Malar, in 4:50.22.
Four years ago, Rick Say of Island Swimming in Victoria, had only swum in summer leagues. A coach
recognized his talent, and it's been straight to the top since then. Today Say had his say–and his way–in
the men's 400 meter freestyle. His 3:49.99 broke the 20-year-old Canadian record of 3:50.49, held since July of 1980 by Peter Szmidt. Szmidt's time was a world record when he swam it.
Though he led all the way, Say was pushed by Mark Johnston (3:51.71) and by 17-year-old Andrew Hurd, whose 3:52.23 was a big–and very pleasant–surprise.
Say's time ranks him seventh in the world this year, but he is only 1.6 seconds behind the second fastest swimmer.
Say's splits: 54.81 – 58.75 – 58.90 – 57.55.
In semi-final competition, Jessica Deglau qualified first for the finals in the 100 meter butterfly in 1:00.85. Jennifer Button was right behind in 1:00.94, followed by Karine Chevrier at 1:01.00.
Morgan Knabe, who set a Canadian record in the prelims of the men's 100m breast at 1:01.69, won the 100 breaststroke semi in 1:02.55. John Stenhuis was second in 1:03.17.