Condorelli breaks Canadian record; Smith swims to double gold

From Santo Condorelli’s new Canadian record in Indianapolis, to Kierra Smith double gold in Monaco, Olympic-bound swimmers picked up hardware just two months from Rio 2016.

A day after winning the 100m breaststroke (more on this below), Smith won the women’s 200m event in two minutes 26:54 seconds at Mare Nostrum Tour event in Monaco on Sunday. France’s Camille Dauba (2:28.51s) and Spain’s Marina Garcia Urzainqui (2:28.83s) completed the podium finishing second and third respectively.

Related: Smith wins gold at Pan Am Games

Taylor Ruck competes at the Olympic Swimming Trials at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Taylor Ruck competes at the Olympic Swimming Trials at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Taylor Ruck, also made her way onto the podium on Sunday. The 16-year-old finished second in the women’s 400m freestyle, in a time of four minutes 14:20 seconds, behind world medallist Katinka Hosszú from Hungary ((4: 06.65s). China’s Chen Yuxi claimed the final spot on the podium, finishing third in 4:16.13s. Both Ruck and Smith will make their Olympic debuts this summer at Rio 2016.

Related: 28 swimmers selected for Rio 2016

Rebecca Smith, won a bronze medal in the women’s 100 freestyle with a time of 55.54s. The Canadian finished behind Charlotte Bonnet (53.80s) of France and Hungary’s Aliaksandra Herasimenia (54.39s).

Saturday June 4

Related: Six unforgettable Canadian Olympic swimming moments 

Kierra Smith races the 200m breaststroke heats at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

Kierra Smith races the 200m breaststroke heats at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

Smith’s first gold medal came after she won the women’s 100 metre breaststroke in 1:08.94s on Saturday. Jinh-Em Phee of Malaysia finished second in 1:09.18s, third place went to Spain’s Marina Garcia Urzainqui in 1:09.18s. 

Friday June 3

Related: Condorelli tastes the podium at Olympic test event

Condorelli reached a new career highlight on Friday, breaking the national 100m butterfly record, while swimming to gold at US Pro Swim Series meet. The Canadian’s time of 51.98 seconds won the event, Zheng Wen Quah of China finished second in 52.45s, followed by South Africa’s Dylan Bosch in 53.57s. This was Condorelli’s second Canadian record, the first came in August 2015, when he set the 50m butterfly record of 23.30s in Russia.

Noemie Thomas during the 100m butterfly final at PAn Am Games.

Noemie Thomas during the 100m butterfly final at PAn Am Games.

Over in Santa Clara, Noemie Thomas won Canada’s second 100m butterfly gold at a Pro Swim Series meet . The Canadian’s time of 57.72s beat Australian silver medallist Emma McKeon (58.31) and bronze medallist Farisa Osman of Egypt (59.13). Sarah Darcel finished third at the same meet, after clocking four minutes 51.89s in the 400m individual medley. The Canadian finished behind Americans Keryn McMaster (4:42.17s) and Caitlin Leverenz (4:41.10s).

More to come.