Canada has never enjoyed much international success in the men's 1,500 freestyle but Andrew Hurd shows plenty of potential. At the Olympic trials, Hurd clocked 15 minutes and 12.70 seconds- a national age group record by 12 seconds and a personal best by 18 seconds- to beat the Olympic qualifying standard of 15:26.05. For three-quarters of the race he was on pace to break the 15:12.63 national mark set by Harry Taylor of Edmonton in 1990.

  At 17, Hurd is still developing physically and specializes in an event where traditionally the top swimmers are in their mid-twenties. But he is already a two-time Canadian champion, placed seventh against the American and Australian sharks at the Pan Pacific Championships last year and even won a bronze at the World Cup stop in Edmonton last fall.

2000 Games
Sept. 22: Men's 1,500-metre freestyle: Andrew Hurd, Oakville, Ont., finished seventh in heat, eliminated.


2000 Games Swimming Coverage