Achi news desk-
Swimming Canada says a contingency plan for the Olympic and Paralympic trials is in the works following the extended closure of the Montreal Olympic pool.
The national trials — Swimming Canada’s selection meet for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris — are set for May 13 to 19 at the Olympic pool.
However, the Olympic Park announced on Wednesday that the athletic sports complex at the Institut National du sport du Québec (INS Quebec) will 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 focusing on holding the trials at an alternate location in the Montreal area.
“We know that day-to-day plans for an Olympic and Paralympic year are set months in advance. We are also aware that with trials less than six weeks away, most participants have booked travel and accommodations in Montreal,” Swimming Canada’s acting CEO Susan 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 venue of the competition should have a 50 meter pool, adequate capacity for participants and spectators and allow the event to be broadcast.
The governing body will meet with key partners in the coming days to decide on next steps and hopes to share a detailed plan next week.
“We know our athletes are flexible and adaptable, and so is our team,” Paulins said. “We are doing our best to minimize disruption, and are confident in our ability to provide a first-class swimming meet that prepares us for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Although the fire caused no casualties, the Olympic Park reported that significant damage was caused to the tower due to the infiltration of smoke and water by firefighters who tried to put out the fire.
Other federations were also affected and had to find new places for athletes to continue preparing for the Games. Judo Canada quickly moved its training to the Ipon Judo Club in Montreal.
“It would be a lie to say there is no impact,” said Judo Canada coach Antoine Bouchard. “We’re getting out of our comfort zone. We’re used to training at INS, we’ve been well supported, and suddenly everything turns upside down.
“But I think once the issue arose, Judo Canada turned around to find the best solution for us to continue training with minimal impact. Our whole full-time team can train there. So that’s very good.”
Bouchard created a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, which on a larger scale 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 acclimated very quickly to find a temporary solution.”
The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to August 11. The Paralympic Games run from August 28th to September 8th.
– with Tommy Thurber files.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 4, 2024.
