The Canadian national anthem played at the Santiago Pan American Games Aquatic Center on Saturday, thanks to the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, which was able to count on the services of Quebecers Katerine Savard and Mary-Sophie Harvey in the grand final.
The two swimmers from the CAMO club moved into the mixed zone after getting on the first step of the podium alongside Maggie Mac Neil and Brooklyn Douthwright. Emma O’Croinin and Julie Brosseau also received their gold medals after the ceremony given their contribution in qualifying.
Harvey was the first Canadian to swim in the final, in a three-way battle with the Brazilian and the American. Douthwright took over, followed by Mac Neil, simply dominant as third runner. The Ontarian started her swim 43 hundredths of a second from the lead and concluded her portion with a lead of 1.36 seconds over her Brazilian opponent. All that remained was to complete the loop for Katerine Savard.
“I’ve done a lot in my 15-year career, but finishing a relay representing your country is one of the most stressful things I’ve ever had to experience! I know the pressure is on me, that the three girls before me have done the job. I really wanted to swim well for the team! I don’t know at all what I did, but I know we won gold and that’s perfect. The whole team did really well,” she shared to Sportcom.
She stopped the clock at 3:37.75. The Americans received silver (0.67 seconds) and the Brazilians took bronze (2.19 seconds).
“This is the first time I’ve stood on the top step of a senior podium! My time (54.69s) is also a personal best. I couldn’t ask for a better start to the Pan American Games,” continued Mary-Sophie Harvey. And to do it with Kat, with whom I train every day, it’s even better! »
The two athletes never stopped sending each other flowers during interviews and even shed a few tears. The bond is visibly strong and, according to them, it leads to great performances like the one achieved on Saturday.
“2019 was a year that gave me hope,” Harvey said. I was with Katerine at the Pan American Games in Lima, my first senior experience. To be able to say that I’m a veteran now and to see the new girls so good, it’s really beautiful! »
“I think I was the youngest in 2015, when we won relay gold in Toronto,” continued Savard. It’s one of my fondest memories of life! To do it eight years later while being the oldest, these are moments that I hope to remember for the rest of my life. I’m emotional, I always cry in life, but you don’t experience that often and it’s something you can’t describe. »
The gold medal will certainly serve as motivation for the two Quebecers for the rest of the Games. Katerine Savard will notably compete in the 100m butterfly on Sunday, while Mary-Sophie Harvey will swim the 200m freestyle. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay is also on the agenda.
A few minutes after the victory of the women’s relay, Édouard Fullum-Huot and his teammates won bronze in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
The Canadians recorded a time of 3:15.83 in this final final of the day, where they were beaten by the Brazilians (3:13.51) and the Americans (3:14.22). s).
“There was a bit of nervousness. I only swam this evening and I prepared for the final throughout the day, explained Fullum-Huot, second torchbearer of the maple leaf. It was good, I’m happy to have a medal with the guys and it looks good for the future! »
The Montrealer will represent Canada in the mixed 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays. Individually, he will compete in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.