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Canadian Olympic Athletes Head to Mel Zajac Jr. International Swimming Meet for Final Tune-Up

Posted on by angelo
Canadian Olympic Athletes Head to Mel Zajac Jr. International Swimming Meet for Final Tune-Up

59th Annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swimming Competition

  • June 21-23, 2024
  • UBC Aquatic Center
  • LCM (50 meters)
  • Meet Central

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Maggie MacNeilreigning world champion Finlay Knoxand silver medalist at the 2023 World Championships Josh Liendo headline the list of 14 Canadian Olympians who will compete in the 59th annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swimming Meet this weekend in Vancouver — just weeks before the Summer Games kick off in Paris next month.

It will be MacNeil’s final tune-up before she aims to become the first woman to repeat as Olympic champion in the 100 fly. The 24-year-old is ranked 7th this season with 56.54 at last month’s Canadian Trials after winning silver at the 2023 World Championships behind Zhang Yufei.

Knox has been on a tear this year, winning the 2024 world title in the 200 IM (1:56.64) in February before lowering her Canadian record to 1:56.07 at the trials last month. The 23-year-old is also expected to compete in the medley relay in Paris after winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.66 at the trials.

Liendo appears to be a strong podium contender in the men’s 100 fly after lowering his Canadian record to 50.06 at the trials, ranking him first in the world this season ahead of Noah Ponti (50.16) and Matthew Temple (50.25). The 21-year-old won a silver medal in the 100 fly at the 2023 World Championships (50.34).

Other Canadian Olympians who will compete in the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swimming Competition this weekend include Ilya Kharun, Taylor RuckAnd Javier Acevedo. Three other Canadian Olympians — Penny Oleksiak, Marie-Sophie HarveyAnd Jeremy Bagshaw — are in Rome this weekend for the 2024 Sette Colli Trophy.

This year’s competition, held just before the June 23 deadline to qualify for next month’s Paris Olympics, attracts nearly 600 athletes from 15 countries across five continents.

Notable entries include Kayla Sanchez, who will represent the Philippines at the Olympics next month after winning two relay medals for Canada in Tokyo. At 23, Sanchez will enroll at the University of British Columbia (UBC) next season and compete for the Thunderbirds in U Sports alongside Knox.

UBC already has two Thunderbirds who obtained their ticket to Paris last month: Blake Tierney And Emma O’Croinin, who both redshirted last season. Tierney will compete in both backstroke events while O’Croinin will likely compete in Canada’s 4×200 freestyle relay thanks to his 4th place finish in the trials (1:57.86).

“We are excited to host the 59th annual Mel Zajac Jr International Swimming Competition,” said UBC head coach. Derrick Schooff. “This should prove to be an incredible meeting as we welcome so much national and international talent. This is the last weekend when swimmers from around the world can qualify for the Olympics and the last opportunity for Canadian Olympians to prepare before heading to Paris in July. Additionally, our Olympians will sign autographs for spectators after the heats each morning. »

“This meet has such a rich history, both showcasing excellence at the highest level and providing opportunities for young swimmers from across British Columbia, Canada and the northwestern United States” , commented Schoof. “Every year we see not only some of the best international swimmers, but also the future rising superstars. The Zajac meet provides the opportunity for our local swimming community of all ages and abilities to come watch and cheer on these incredible athletes.

Mel Zajac Jr. was a Canadian swimmer who competed in the 100m breaststroke at his original Olympic Games, the 1976 Montreal Games. He also represented Canada at the first ever FINA World Championships held in Yugoslavia in 1973. He also swam in the United States for Arizona State University.

Tragically, Zajac Jr. died in 1986 while kayaking in Canada. Eight months later, an avalanche tragically killed his brother, Marty Zajac, who had also attended ASU. In their honor, their family, led by Mel Zajac Sr., founded the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation. In addition to sponsoring the swim meet, the foundation operates a seniors home in British Columbia and the Zajac Ranch for Children.