Latest news with #JoshLiendo
CBC
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Blossoming superstars ready to take centre stage at Canadian swimming trials in Victoria
Social Sharing Just three short years ago when hundreds of Canadian swimmers arrived at the Saanich Commonwealth Place pool in Victoria for national trials there were signs that Summer McIntosh, Josh Liendo and a handful of others were on the cusp of something special. Now, as Canadian swimming stars prepare for another trials in Victoria, it's clear that those sparks of brilliance in the pool in April 2022 have fully developed into global superstars who continue to take down records and chart a new course for swimming in this country. Throughout those trials McIntosh started signalling to the world she was going to be a force for the foreseeable future, winning all four races she entered. She hasn't stopped since then and has become a generational talent – she is now a three-time Olympic champion, has countless short course and long course world titles and is the world record holder in the 400m individual medley. Ilya Kharun wasn't even at those trials in Victoria three years ago – he won two bronze medals in Paris last summer — and Liendo is a podium threat at every national meet, having won silver in the 100m butterfly at the Games. The two have also been highly successful in the NCAA ranks, racking up wins and medals. And they're all just getting started. McIntosh is only 18 years old, Kharun is 19 and Liendo is 21 years old. Will Summer McIntosh break a world record? And other storylines ahead of Canadian swim trials 1 day ago Duration 15:42 Brittany MacLean Campbell and Devin Heroux both agree we'll see at least one world record from Summer McIntosh when Canada's swimmers meet in Victoria, BC for the 2025 Canadian swim trials. They break down the top storylines you should know before streaming begins June 7-12 on CBC Gem. The Canadian women, who have been the backbone of the Swimming Canada program for three Olympic cycles, continue to thrive. And the men's program is gaining traction as well, with the likes of Finlay Knox and Blake Tierney also posting internationally competitive times. Many continue to call this the golden generation for Canadian swimming. This current group of Canada swimmers enter these trials beginning Saturday in Victoria, having won eight medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, followed by 15 medals at the short course world championships in Budapest this past December. Bell Canadian Swimming Trials will stream live on and on CBC Gem beginning on Saturday, June 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET, continuing through Thursday, June 12. For a full broadcast schedule of swimming events this season, click here. It's incredible to consider some of the results for McIntosh since she last dove into the water in Victoria – her three gold medals in Paris made her the first Canadian to win three gold medals at a single Games. At her short course worlds debut in December, McIntosh broke three world records, won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. She was named World Aquatics female swimmer of the year and also won the Northern Star Award for top Canadian athlete of the year. She is, by many accounts, the most talented female swimmer on the planet and just recently announced that after the world championships this summer she'll be joining Bob Bowman, who famously coached Michael Phelps to 23 Olympic gold medals. Top 5 Summer McIntosh moments at the Canadian Swim Trials 15 hours ago Duration 1:15 McIntosh will be busy in Victoria, having entered in seven events including the 800-metre freestyle, 400m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley, 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 200m butterfly. It's likely she won't compete in the 200m free and 200m back, hinting at some longer distance training of late and that she'll be swimming in the 800m. McIntosh has said she'll compete in five events at the world championships this summer in Singapore, all with the goal of winning five gold medals in LA 2028. By contrast, McIntosh competed in four events at the last Victoria trials – the most impressive time comparison from then to now comes in the form of the 400m IM, where McIntosh has trimmed off a full ten seconds from her 4:34.86 time posted in April 2022. She now holds the world record in the event in a time of 4:24.38 posted at the Olympic trials one year ago. Expect fast swimming from Kharun and Liendo. They both had major breakthroughs at the Olympics in Paris with Kharun winning two bronze medals – 100m and 200m butterfly – and Liendo won silver in the 100m fly. 'It would send shockwaves around the world': Will Summer McIntosh break 200m butterfly world record? 16 hours ago Duration 0:57 'The Ready Room' host Brittany MacLean Campbell lists the reasons why she feels Summer McIntosh will break the 200m butterfly world record on Day 4 of the Canadian swim trials which begin June 7th, live on CBC Gem. Both also have realistic shots of making some noise in the 50m events, including the 50m free and 50m butterfly – the 50m stroke events are all part of the Olympic programme for LA 2028. Mary-Sophie Harvey continues to improve, posting some of her fastest times ever in the early part of this season. She was named World Aquatics female breakthrough athlete of the year last season and will be busy throughout trials. Harvey is entered in eight events, however, it's unlikely she'll be swimming in all of them. Kylie Masse is also turning back time, having just broken her own 50m backstroke Canadian record at the beginning of May. She is one of the most decorated swimmers in the country's history, known for her consistency and ability to reach the podium time and time again. Masse is entered in the 50m and 100m backstroke as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly. Under the guidance of Swimming Canada high performance director John Atkinson the program has taken on a business-like energy – swimmers are prepared, have plans and are executing in the pool like never before. WATCH | McIntosh on training with Michael Phelps' former coach: Summer McIntosh on decision to train under Michael Phelps' former coach 9 days ago Duration 14:00 Atkinson has stressed an athlete-first approach to their programming, empowering the swimmers to take control of their training plan and in-competition needs. It's led to record-breaking performances over the last number of years. Canadian swimmers are meeting the moment and delivering under pressure. The national trials offer the unique opportunity to swim in a somewhat high stakes environment and earn a spot on a national senior team. For many, like Masse, McIntosh, Liendo, Harvey and other veterans of the team, there should be few surprises – they are all here to earn their spot on the Canadian worlds team and then build toward the world championships in late-July. For others, these trials provide the chance to breakthrough – the next Oleksiak, Liendo or McIntosh might just be diving into the Victoria pool this upcoming week. Powerhouse Para squad on display Spots on Canada's Para world championship team will also be on the line throughout trials, with a powerhouse squad of swimmers taking to the Victoria pool. In fact, Canadian Para swimmers racked up 13 medals at the Paris Paralympics, including Nicolas Bennett capturing two gold medals and a silver. His efforts earned him a closing ceremony flag-bearer appointment alongside Para canoeist Brianna Hennessy. Bennett became the first Canadian male swimmer to win a swimming Paralympic gold medal since 2012, the first to capture multiple gold medals at a single Games since 2004, and the first to reach the podium three times since 2012. Bennett will join the likes of swimming superstars Aurélie Rivard, Danielle Dorris, Sebastian Massabie and Reid Maxwell in the pool throughout the six days of competition. Rivard is the veteran of the squad having competed at four Paralympics. Throughout those Games she has collected an astounding 13 medals, including six gold, four silver and three bronze medals. Bennett and Rivard were named Swimming Canada's Para athletes of the year this past December. The world Para swimming championships will also be held in Singapore, taking place at the end of September. This marks the first time the Para world championships are being held in Asia.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Josh Liendo takes on mentoring role with International teammates in the NCAA
Canadian Olympic silver medallist and 3-time NCAA champion Josh Liendo has made his mark swimming for the Florida Gators in the NCAA and since becoming a senior has taken on a mentorship role to other International swimmers in the program.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Olympic medallist Josh Liendo focused on busy swimming summer
Social Sharing Canadian Olympic swimmer Josh Liendo may be just 22 years old, but he's already stepping into a mentorship role for the swimmers following in his footsteps. The Toronto native just capped his third year at the University of Florida, where he's won nine NCAA national titles, including three consecutive titles in the men's 100-yard freestyle event. "Obviously "freshman Josh" was just trying to find my way and figure out how to swim in the NCAA," Liendo told CBC Sports. "I've already been through it. I can help some of these younger guys, especially internationals who don't really know anything about yards." Liendo has already captured four world medals, including the three he won during his breakout season at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in 2022. He's represented Canada at the past two Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, where won his first Olympic medal — a silver in the 100-metre butterfly. "Last summer, there were some good results and there were some results that I would want to improve on," he said. "Just excited to kind of put together what I've been working on and training." WATCH | Liendo takes on mentoring role: Josh Liendo takes on mentoring role with International teammates in the NCAA 7 minutes ago Duration 0:54 New events added to 2028 Olympics At the LA 2028 Summer Olympics, three new events will be added to the program for the first time: the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and 50m breaststroke. At the Paris Olympics. Liendo swam the 50m butterfly in 23.24 seconds — a Canadian record — but says he has a "love-hate relationship" with the event. "I'm not the best at it. My 50-metre best time is from Paris…I haven't really figured it out," he said. "I'm a little iffy on the 50 fly, the 100 has always been my stronger one." Liendo will be competing in the Canadian swim trials from June 7 to 12 in Victoria, B.C., and will then turn his attention to the aquatics worlds in Singapore, which begin July 11. "I'm excited to race long course. I feel like I'm ready. I feel like the things that I've been working on in practice have been very much catered to in the long course this year, especially." At the University of Florida, Liendo trains under the same coach — Anthony Nesty — as the most decorated female Olympian in history, Katie Ledecky. Earlier this month, the 28-year old American broke her own world record in the 800m freestyle at the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet, which she set nine years ago at the Rio 2016 Olympics. "It's good to see. She's someone that works so hard, no one deserves it more," Liendo said. "I don't think I've ever met someone at that level with a better attitude at that level than Katie."
CBC
30-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Josh Liendo wins 3rd straight NCAA swimming title in 100 freestyle
Canadian swimmer Josh Liendo won his third career NCAA title in the men's 100-yard freestyle on Saturday night in Federal Way, Wash. The 22-year-old Florida Gator from Toronto clocked 39.99 seconds to out-touch Tennessee rival Jordan Crooks by 0.07, claiming his second victory of the weekend. He became the third person in history to go under 40 seconds in the event. Crooks set the NCAA record during Saturday's prelims, clocking 39.83 to break American star Caeleb Dressel's previous mark of 39.90 from 2018. The six-foot-four Liendo retained his title in the 100-yard butterfly on Friday night. The two-time Olympian swam to silver in the men's butterfly at last summer's Paris Games. Montreal's Ilya Kharun, who took bronze behind Liendo in Paris, was unable to successfully defend his title in the men's 200 butterfly on Saturday night, touching third with a time of 1:38.74. The Arizona State swimmer finished behind Georgia's Luca Urlando, who set an NCAA record in 1:36.43, and California's Dare Rose (1:38.04).
CBC
29-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada's Josh Liendo repeats as men's 100m butterfly champ at NCAA championships
Texas stays atop team standings by winning 3 of 5 events Friday Texas won three of the five individual swimming events Friday night at the NCAA championships in Federal Way, Wash., to stay atop the team standings, and Florida claimed the other two. Florida's Josh Liendo, of Toronto, defended his title in the 100 butterfly with a personal-best 43.06 — the second-fastest time in history. Fellow Canadian Ilya Kharun, of Montreal, finished just behind Liendo for second place. The two Canadians both won medals in the same event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this past summer, with Liendo taking silver and Kharun earning the bronze. Rex Maurer of Texas held off Ohio State's Tristan Jankovics to win the 400-yard individual medley in a personal-best time of 3:34.00 for his second individual title this week. Luke Hobson got ahead of the field to win his third straight NCAA title in the 200 freestyle, breaking his own NCAA, American, and school record at 1:28.33. His Texas teammate Chris Guiliano came in second. Two years ago, Hobson finished in 1:30.43. Texas' Hubert Kos edged Florida's Jonny Marshall at the wall by two one-hundredths of a second to win the 100 backstroke in a world record time of 43.20. Marshall gave the Gators their best finish in the event in 20 years. Julian Smith backed up his SEC Tournament title in the 100 breaststroke with a winning time of 49.55. He's the first Gator to win the event in program history. Carson Tyler edged his Indiana teammate Quentin Henninger for his second 3-metre diving national title. In the final event of the night Florida and Texas went 1-2 in the 400 medley relay, with the Gators winning at 2:56.10. Texas is leading the team standings with 368 points after Day 3. California is second at 312.5 and Indiana third with 304.
