Swimming Canada says contingency plan in the works for Olympic trials
Swimming Canada says a contingency plan for the Olympic and Paralympic trials is in the works following the extended closure of Montreal's Olympic pool.
The national trials — Swimming Canada's selection meet for this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris — were scheduled for May 13 to 19 at the Olympic pool.
However, the Olympic Park announced Wednesday that the athletic sports complex at the Institut national du sport du Québec (INS Quebec) would remain closed for four to six months due to a fire outside the Olympic Stadium on March 21.
Swimming Canada says it intends to keep the same dates and is focused on holding the trials at an alternate location in the Montreal area.
“We know that day-by-day plans for an Olympic and Paralympic year are laid out months in advance. We are also aware that, with trials less than six weeks away, most participants have booked travel to, and accommodations in, Montreal,” acting Swimming Canada chief executive officer Suzanne Paulins said in a statement.
“We are working hard on contingency plans to hold the event in Montreal on the scheduled dates of May 13-19.”
The competition venue needs to have a 50-metre pool, adequate capacity for participants and spectators, and allow for broadcasting the event.
The governing body will meet with key partners in the coming days to decide the next steps and hopes to share a detailed plan next week.
“We know our athletes are resilient and adaptable, and so is our staff,” Paulins said. “We are doing our best to minimize disruption, and (are) confident in our ability to deliver a first-class swim meet that sets us up for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Although the fire caused no injuries, the Olympic Park said there was significant damage to the tower due to the infiltration of smoke and water from firefighters trying to extinguish the fire.
Other federations have also been affected and needed to find new places for athletes to continue preparing for the Games. Judo Canada quickly moved its training to the Ippon judo club in Montreal.
"It would be lying to say there's no impact," Judo Canada coach Antoine Bouchard said. "We're stepping out of our comfort zone. We're used to training at INS, we were well-supported, and suddenly everything is turned upside down.
"But I think as soon as the problem arose, Judo Canada turned around to find the best possible solution for us to continue training with minimal impact. Our entire full-time group can train there. So that's very good."
Bouchard drew a parallel with the COVID-19 pandemic, which on a larger scale had forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
"With COVID, we had limited access to training partners and our facilities were inaccessible," Bouchard said. "But I think Judo Canada adapted very quickly to find a temporary solution."
The Paris Olympics run from July 26 to Aug. 11. The Paralympics follow from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
— With files from Tommy Thurber.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Kidnapped by her father and kept in a crawl space: Court documents reveal Montreal horror story
A Montreal father who kidnapped his daughter who has autism and lied to police when they asked where she was should serve three years in prison, a Crown prosecutor said.
Ontario's so-called 'Crypto King' soliciting investments as recently as February: police
Police are alleging that Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ Aiden Pleterski was soliciting investments as recently as February – almost two years after he was petitioned into bankruptcy for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme worth more than $40 million.
Pierre Poilievre presses Justin Trudeau for summer pause on carbon and fuel taxes
To give Canadians a break on their summer road trips, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suspend all gas and diesel taxes from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
Noticed a new payment? Some Canadians get first carbon rebate
Many Canadians found a message from the Canada Revenue Agency this week as they received their first direct deposit for the Canada Carbon Rebate.
Teen died from eating a spicy chip as part of social media challenge, autopsy report concludes
A medical examiner says a Massachusetts teen who participated in a spicy tortilla chip challenge died from ingesting a substance 'with a high capsaicin concentration.'
Protecting your car from the growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts
Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. But that technology also makes things easier for thieves.
WATCH Scientists get a surprising glimpse at a rare deep-sea squid
Scientists from the University of Western Australia and Kelpsie Geociences in the U.K. say they were surprised to discover an underwater camera caught video of a rare deep-sea squid.
There's a new workers' rights treaty in Canada. What does it mean for you?
Although a global workers' treaty has been in force in Canada since January, an employment lawyer believes it won't do anything more to protect employees from violence and harassment.