Brent Hayden: “I’ve never been this excited making an Olympic team”

2021 CANADIAN OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

• June 19 – June 23, 2021
• Toronto, Ontario
• Toronto Pan Am Sport Centre
• Long Course Meters (50m)
• Olympic Qualifying Event
• Swimming Canada Olympic Selection Criteria
• Meet Package
• Psych Sheets
• Live results

Reported by Ben Dornan.

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINAL

• Canadian Record: 21.73 – Brent Hayden (2009)
• FINA A Standard: 22.01

Podium

1. Brent Hayden – 21.82
2. Josh Liendo 21.90
3. Yuri Kisil – 22.15

Brent Hayden and Josh Liendo did exactly what they needed to do here and qualified for their 4th and 1st Olympic Games, respectively. Hayden won this event with a 21.82 while Liendo swam a 21.90 meaning that they both got under the 22-second mark as well as the 22.01 FINA A.

For Hayden, this swim marks the achievement of a major goal that he has identified back in 2019, having made his official comeback to the sport after retiring for over 7 years. Hayden won a bronze medal in the 100 freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Games which came after more than a decade as a Canadian national teamer.

Hayden not only got under the FINA A standard but he also got very close to his current Canadian record which he has held for more than a decade at a 21.73 from the 2009 World Championships.

Josh Liendo will join Brent Hayden on the 2020 Canadian Olympic team in the men’s 50 freestyle after hitting a 21.90 which is under the 22.01 FINA A. Liendo’s best time before this race was actually also a 22.01, having hit that time during the prelims.