Josh Liendo made a remarkable entrance at the Pan Am Sports Centre, reminiscing about his achievements at his hometown pool. The 23-year-old swimmer had set an Ontario record in the 100m freestyle in 2017, secured a spot on his first Olympic team, and holds multiple Canadian records in Toronto.
During the evening, Liendo astounded the audience by breaking the short course world record in the men’s 100 butterfly with a stunning time of 47.68 seconds, surpassing Switzerland’s Noe Ponti’s previous record. Liendo expressed his disbelief at achieving this milestone during the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup’s final leg, mentioning that he had hoped for a time around 48 seconds and celebrating exuberantly after seeing the world record time displayed.
The talented swimmer also clinched a second gold medal in the men’s 50 freestyle later that evening. Liendo credited the pool’s atmosphere and the supportive crowd for boosting his performance. His proud family, including his mom, aunt, uncle, and former chiropractor, were among the spectators cheering him on.
Byron MacDonald, the head coach at the University of Toronto and a CBC Sports swimming analyst, commented on Liendo’s exceptional performance, noting his initial sluggishness in a previous event but acknowledging his potential and predicting that a world record was inevitable for the skilled athlete.
Liendo’s success continued as he set a World Cup record in the 50 free event, solidifying his reputation as a standout swimmer. In a recent event, Liendo’s rival Ilya Kharun had outperformed him, but Liendo’s determination and talent shone through as he achieved record-breaking results in Toronto.
Last year, Liendo made history as the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an Olympic medal in Paris. He was recognized as Swimming Canada’s male swimmer of the year and marked a significant achievement alongside Kharun, becoming the first Canadian men to reach the podium in the 100 fly since 1972.
The competition is ongoing, with several athletes showcasing exceptional performances and setting new records. Notably, Canadian star Summer McIntosh is absent due to illness, while other swimmers from various countries have excelled in their respective events. The event promises more thrilling moments as it progresses, with live streaming available for fans to follow the action closely.
