Mexico City 2017: Top swimmers from the Americas

Swimmers from the Americas are hoping to take advantage of competing on their home continent at the World Championships in Mexico City, from 30 September-6 October. Here are five who are aiming for multiple medals at the Francisco Marquez Olympic Swimming Pool.

Aurelie Rivard (CAN): Will be a strong favourite to defend the world titles in the women’s 50m and 400m freestyle S10, especially after setting two world records in each event at Rio 2016. Rivard will also go for the 100m freestyle title. New Zealand’s Sophie Pascoe will be a hard-to-beat opponent, though.

Daniel Dias (BRA): Since his first World Championships in Durban, South Africa, in 2006, where he claimed three golds, until his last in Glasgow, Great Britain, where he took his world title count to 24, Brazil’s most decorated Paralympian ever has never stopped winning. That habit is likely to continue in Mexico City.

Lorenzo Perez Escalona (CUB): The five-time Parapan American champion made history at Rio 2016 by winning Cuba’s first Paralympic title in the sport. He did so in the men’s 100m freestyle S6 with a Paralympic record time of 1:04.70. Perez Escalona aims now to extend his great moment to the World Championships.

McKenzie Coan (USA): At the last edition of the Worlds, Coan won one silver. But after her spectacular performance at the 2016 Paralympic Games, where she sealed three golds and one silver, Coan has higher expectations ahead of Mexico City 2017. She is one of the USA’s main medal hopes.

Nelson Crispin (COL): Left Rio 2016 with a bittersweet taste after claiming three silvers. Despite admitting his performance was good, Crispin knows he was close to winning his first Paralympic gold only to fall short. He is hoping to top the podium in Mexico City, where he will defend the world title in the men’s 100m freestyle S6 from Glasgow 2015.

More information can be found on the Mexico City 2017 website.