TO2015: Swimming day two preview "Super Sunday"

It could be "Super Sunday" for Canada on the second day of comeptition as they chase seven gold medals in the pool. 09 Aug 2015
Imagen
Canada's Morgan Bird in action at London 2012.

Canada's Morgan Bird in action at London 2012.

ⒸCanadian Paralympic Committee

It could be “Super Sunday” in the pool for Canada at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games on 9 August with swimmers from the host nation strong contenders to finish on the podium in seven of the 14 medal events on the second day of competition.

Leading the way at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre is likely to be S8 swimmer Morgan Bird who will go for gold in the women’s 50m and 400m freestyle races. Over both distances the 21-year-old will face strong competition from the USA’s Paralympic champion Mallory Weggemann.

Also hoping to top the podium for Canada on Sunday are James Leroux in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB9 and Katarina Roxon in the women’s 400m freestyle S9. Both swimmers will start their races as the fastest in their respective fields this season in the Americas.

There could also be a Canadian one two in the men’s 100m backstroke S13 with Nicolas Turbide and Devin Gottell set to go head-to-head.

The race of the day could come in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB9. Argentina’s Daniela Gimenez is the fastest in the field on paper this year, but just 0.26 seconds separates her from Sarah Girard who will benefit from strong home support.

Bringing the curtain down on what could be a memorable day for the hosts will be Zack McAllister in the men’s 50m freestyle S8. Mexico’s Armando Andrade is slightly faster though this season by just 0.11 seconds and will be hard to beat for gold.

Brazil will be looking to Daniel Dias to continue his winning ways in the 100m breaststroke SB4, Roberto Rodriguez in the 100m breaststroke SB5 and Ruiter Silva in the men’s 400m freestyle S9 to claim Parapan titles in the men’s events. In women’s events, Raquel Viel in the 100m backstroke S13 and Paloma Sampaio in the 100m breaststroke SB5 will both start as favourites for gold.

Around 220 swimmers from 18 countries will compete in 116 medal events in swimming during the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

To purchase tickets, please visit Ticketmaster.