By: UBC Athletics
On a day that Canada won three bronze medals, former UBC Thunderbirds swimmer Brent Hayden advanced to the final of the men’s 100m freestyle.
Hayden, racing in his third and final Olympics, clocked a time of 48:21 in his specialty. He posted the sixth fastest time. He won silver at the 2011 World Aquatic Championships in this event and was the 2007 World Champion.
“It’s a huge weight off my chest,” said Hayden following his semi-final race. “I’ve been fighting the money on my back since Beijing. Everything worked out and I think for the final I will have even more intensity.”
The final is set for 12:17 pm PST tomorrow (Aug. 1).
Also in the pool on Tuesday, racing in his second event of the games, Scott Dickens won his 200m breaststroke heat with a personal best, advancing to the semi-final. He finished in 16th in the semi-final. Dickens has already had a successful games, setting a Canadian record in the 100m breaststroke on Saturday.
UBC Olympians joining Hayden in competition on Aug. 1 include: Tara Van Beilen (swimming), Martha McCabe (swimming), Denise Ramsden (cycling), Nikola Girke (windsurfing), Hunter Lowden (sailing), Ricardo Montemayor (sailing) and Mike Leigh and Luke Ramsey (sailing).
Learn more about UBC’s Olympians here.
– with files from Swimming Canada
Watch a video interview with Brent Hayden:
