Zajac International Meet on Tap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 27. THE 43rd edition of the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet, which runs June 2-4 at the UBC Aquatic Center and is hosted by the UBC Dolphins, promises to be one of the best ever thanks to a major boost from Bell Canada. Swimming Canada announced earlier this month the launch of the Bell Grand Prix, a new international competition series that kicks off in Vancouver with the Zajac meet, before making stops in Montreal (June 30-July 2) and Toronto (Nov. 24-26). Megan Jendrick and Brent Hayden are among the top names scheduled to compete.

The Bell Grand Prix is designed to enhance the domestic competitive program and provide Canadian athletes with a strong competitive environment in which they can excel in their performance. At the Zajac meet alone, which is also sponsored by the Mel Jr. & Marty Zajac Foundation, Speedo, and Team Aquatic Supplies, $22,000 in prize money is up for grabs, in addition to around $10,000 that has been made available for travel support.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is create greater rivalries among Canadian swimmers, and between ourselves and the rest of the world,” said UBC Dolphins head coach and national team assistant Tom Johnson. “We believe that this commitment from Bell Canada is really going to put the Zajac meet and Canada as a whole back on the world map, and that’s going to help our kids flourish. The short-term benefit is that we’re getting a lot more Canadian kids coming this year who normally wouldn’t come. Next year, we think the whole world is going to sit up and take notice when they realize the value of the prize money.”

This year’s Zajac meet is a build up to the Pan Pacific Championships, which take place from Aug. 17-20 in Victoria and will bring together over 300 of the world’s top swimmers from over 30 countries.

“We are delighted with Bell Canada’s commitment to assist our sport in reaching its goals for growth and development of Canadian swimming,” stated Pierre Lafontaine, CEO, Swimming Canada. “Bell Canada’s support has provided us with an exceptional opportunity to capitalize on the many benefits associated with hosting international events here at home.”

Preliminary heats start at 9:30 a.m. with finals going at 5:30 p.m. all three days. Admission is free. The Zajac Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to support children, seniors and those with special needs through innovative community projects focused on developing life long skills and independence. The Zajac family lost Mel Jr. and Marty in separate sporting accidents in 1986 and 1987, only eight months apart. They are the inspiration behind the works, the goals, and the ambitions of The Zajac Foundation.

Mel Jr.’s accomplishments were many: he was a member of Canada’s national swim team and won a national title in the 200-meter breaststroke. In 1973, he competed in the World Aquatic Games and was a three-time gold medalist in the Canada Games. Two years later he competed in the Pan Am Games in Mexico City, and then in 1976 at the Olympics in Montreal. For more information, please visit www.zajac.com.

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