Stars React, ‘Restrategize’ after Postponement of Canadian Olympic Trials

Brent Hayden Photo Courtesy: Swimming Canada

Many of Canada’s top swimming stars are remaining hopeful and confident in the face of the news Friday that the global outbreak of COVID-19 has postponed Canadian Olympic Trials.

Part of the message tweeted by Brent Hayden, the three-time Olympian who is making a comeback at age 36, is that, “Things unexpected happen. Looking at the greater good, but my goals haven’t changed. Just need to restrategize.”

Obviously pretty devastated but was prepared for today’s decision. Life throws curve balls. Things unexpected happen. Looking at the greater good, but my goals haven’t changed. Just need to restrategize. #COVID2019 #roadtotokyo #risethroughchallenge https://t.co/DeJ4Or2izx

— Brent Hayden OLY (@thebrenthayden) March 13, 2020

It’s a familiar message, with many athletes waiting at the ready for Trials when and if they happen.

Trials were scheduled for May 30-April 5 in Toronto but will not go on as scheduled, among other event changes, due to the coronavirus outbreak that has led to more than 100,000 cases worldwide. As of Friday afternoon, Canada reported 176 confirmed cases and three probable cases in seven provinces, but in one of the highest-profile cases in the world, Sophie Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tested positive for the virus.

That gravity was not lost on swimmers like Sydney Pickrem and Kayla Sanchez, who lamented the postponement but vowed to be ready for the event.

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Hearing the news of Olympic Trials being postponed is heart breaking but the training continues! Don’t lose sight of your dreams! My heart goes out to all that have been effected, and I hope everyone stays safe & healthy!

A post shared by TAMU ’19 Olympian 2016 (@sydneypickrem8) on Mar 13, 2020 at 5:43pm PDT

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trials i’m ready whenever u are?

A post shared by Kayla Sanchez (@kaylasanchez_) on Mar 13, 2020 at 2:59pm PDT

For some, like the University of Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil, the postponement of Canadian Olympic Trials is a double-whammy with the cancellation of the NCAA Championships.

View this post on Instagram

This team…despite tHe uncertainty in the cOming monthS, we will survivE. all the hard Work we put in will not be wasted. try to tHink positive, but it is Ok to feel angry, Sad, and disappoinTed. stAy strong these next few daYs, and cherish the good memories from this year. forever and always, go blue ??

A post shared by Maggie MacNeil (@macnmagg) on Mar 12, 2020 at 6:16pm PDT

Extraordinary Events In Swimming History:

Australia, China, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil and Japan have all had major meets affected by the coronavirus pandemic, while in the United States, the NCAA Championships have been cancelled and USA Swimming has imposed a 30-day suspension on all events, while Canada is considering what to do about its Olympic trials early next month. In Italy, where swimmers are struggling to maintain normal routines, can’t get to practice and in some cases find pool time, a #stopolympics campaign was launched by the Nuoto website calling on solidarity among swimming nations to recognise that Olympic preparations have been blown off course and that it would be in the interests of fairness to postpone the Games for a time of calm beyond the coronavirus crisis.

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Tony Theriault

4 years ago

Always have a plan B, C, D…….. H, I J……

Kristyn Schopf Wildeman

4 years ago

Amber Caron-Brezovski