LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge native Rachel Nicol will travel to the Rio Olympics.
She solidified a spot on Team Canada Thursday, April 7th, at the Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials in Toronto.
Nicol finished with a silver medal in the 100-metre breaststroke.
Her time was seven-10ths of a second faster than the Olympic A qualifying standard.
In her preliminary races for the 100m, Nicol swam a personal best at 1:06.88.
This swim time placed Nicol as a top contender heading into the qualifying rounds.
Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club, Media Relations Sherri Otis, says the win is not only a huge victory for the club but also a great success for Nicol who has not always been satisfied with her swim times.
“It’s never been about the skill for her, she’s always been a good swimmer. This is more about overcoming the mental obstacles, knowing that she’s the fastest in Canada and just going out there and touching the wall,” Otis said.
Rachel studied at Southern Methodist University in Texas and returned back to train with the LASC, something Otis considers a testament to the club and the opportunities for swimmers in the city.
Nicol tried out for the London Olympics in 2012.
Peter Schori, head coach of LASC, said that Nicol used her talent, experience and work ethics this year to qualify in the top two for the Olympic team.
Schori commented on Nicol’s status as a role model for the younger swimmers in the club.
“We have these young swimmers who see Rachel every day at the pool. You think of kids having their heroes in another sport and only getting to see them in TV and here they actually get to cross paths with her, making the idea that they can achieve this all the more real,” Schori said.
The LASC now waits on Zack McAlister, a local Paralympic swimmer who is waiting to qualify in the 100m freestyle Sunday April 10 in Toronto.
The Rio Olympics take place Aug. 5-21. The Rio Paralympics are Sept. 7-18.
