(Toronto) This is her “little baby test”, the one she has been pampering with her coach since the start of the season. The 200m freestyle, Mary-Sophie Harvey had it in her head, had it in her heart.
The way he swims can make even the most sensitive hearts flutter. She sets off in complete control, before turning on the turbo in the second half.
Olympic ticket on the line or not, Harvey was not going to change his strategy during the Canadian Swimming Trials final on Tuesday evening in Toronto.
Sixth at the halfway mark, the Montrealer flew over the second 100m. When she saw Summer McIntosh’s feet in the next hallway, she knew she was in for (another) good run.
Second on the wall, Harvey stopped the clock at 1 min 55.44 sec, a time well below the Olympic standard. After her “bonus” second place in the 100m butterfly the day before, the versatile athlete continues to fill her Parisian schedule.
“I couldn’t ask for more!” “, exclaimed the CAMO representative, her trainer Greg Arkhurst all smiles at her side.
“Even though I was really happy and satisfied [lundi], I knew the work was not finished. And it’s not finished yet! […] I wanted to have a busy schedule at the Games. To date, it’s two in two. To see for the next three races. »
Unsurprisingly, McIntosh raced to victory with a supersonic time of 1 min 53.69 s, four hundredths off his junior record which had given him bronze at the 2023 World Championships. Enough to put a smile back on his face after a 400 m below his standards the day before.
“I obviously wasn’t thrilled, but it’s important to keep moving forward because I know I’ve trained for this competition and for the future,” commented the 17-year-old wonder. So I’m just trying to make the most of it and have fun and keep racing. »
PHOTO FRANK GUNN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Summer McIntosh and Mary-Sophie Harvey
Harvey is another one who has been having fun like a kid since arriving at the Scarborough Pan American Sports Center. This strategy of saving energy to come back from behind smiles on him. His second 100m was half a second faster than McIntosh’s.
“I know I probably have one of the best returns of all the girls here,” explained the one who improved by 1.32 seconds her provincial record established in the same pool a month earlier.
So it doesn’t stress me out. I have confidence in the training behind me. Basically, we have to stay in our race, that’s what’s important. Often, in big competitions like this, you see the other girls and you start to panic.
Mary-Sophie Harvey
Competing against one of the two or three best swimmers on the planet doesn’t bother her, or more.
“When I saw Summer’s feet, I was so excited! It was fun! It’s a bit like yesterday when I saw Maggie’s feet [Mac Neil]. […] It pushes me a little. Last year, I saw Summer and I thought she was a little unattainable. This competition makes me realize that maybe not. I have abilities within me. I think I need to trust myself more and try to racer a bit more. It’s exciting for the future. »
PHOTO IAN MACNICOL, PROVIDED BY SWIMMING CANADA
Mary-Sophie Harvey after her race
Harvey will have his first day off this Wednesday. This will be the opportunity to decide whether she competes in the 400m medley on Thursday. Second registered behind McIntosh, she is keen to shine in the 100m freestyle the next day and in the 200m IM on Sunday. A big problem for the one who had been chomping at the bit at the Tokyo Games, with the sole assignment being the 4 x 200m relay preliminaries.
Two other swimmers put their signatures on the giant “boarding pass” for the Paris Games: Blake Tierney and veteran Javier Acevedo, first and second respectively in the 100m backstroke. Despite a wild race, Sophie Angus and Kelsey Wog just missed the cut in the 100m breaststroke. Angus should, however, be drafted for the relay, as should Julie Brousseau and Emma O’Croinin, third and fourth in the 200m freestyle.