The Canadian swimming team had five para-athletes competing for podium spots Wednesday at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre. Three ended up making the finals in their respective events, with Aurelie Rivard taking her second gold medal.
Canada currently has won six medals in the pool, two of each colour.
Morgan Bird
The Calgary, Alta. native finished sixth in the women’s 50-metre freestyle (S8) with a time of 32.16, after placing fourth in her qualifying heat.
Bird has wrapped her third Paralympic appearance and will be leaving Tokyo with at least a bronze medal from her relay.
Her next race is Wednesday for the 4×100 medley team relay.
Katarina Roxon
The 28-year-old finished 10th in her heat and did not qualify for the women’s 200-metre individual medley SM9 final.
Despite missing the podium in her races, Roxon will arrive back in Canada with a bronze medal for the 400-metre relay.
Alec Elliot
The 25-year-old finished fifth in the men’s 400-metre freestyle S10 with a time of 4:10.29. He finished second in his qualifying heat with a time of 4:14.65.
Elliott will be back in the pool on Friday for the 200-metre medley SM10.
Abi Tripp
The 20-year-old won her qualifier in the women’s SB7 100-metre breaststroke.
Her chance at a podium was taken away after being disqualified for an improper leg technique. An appeal by Swimming Canada was denied.
Aurélie Rivard
Overall, it was a great effort by the Canadian team, highlighted by the second gold medal of the Games for superstar swimmer Aurélie Rivard in the women’s 400-metre freestyle S10.
The St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. native will be competing again Thursday in the 100-metre backstroke S10 in hopes of making the podium yet again.