VICTORIA – More than 700 of Canada’s top swimmers will descend on Vancouver Island for the 2025 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials, running Saturday through Thursday at Saanich Commonwealth Place in Victoria.
Athletes representing 9 provinces and 148 clubs will be competing for the opportunity to represent Canada on the world stage. The Trials are expected to feature a blend of veteran leadership and breakthrough performances. Returning Olympians, Paralympians and junior hopefuls will look to punch their ticket to one of four major international competitions for which Swimming Canada is selecting teams:
- World Aquatics Championships (pool) July 26 – Aug. 3 in Singapore
- 2025 FISU Games (Summer Universiade) July 17 – 23 in Berlin
- World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships August 19 – 24 in Otopeni, Romania
- World Para Swimming Championships September 21–27 in Singapore
Two-time Olympian Mary-Sophie Harvey of Montreal’s CAMO club is among the top names competing in Victoria, a city that holds special significance in her swimming journey.
“I’m quite excited to go back to Victoria. I’ve always loved that pool. That’s where I made my first senior national team back in 2017 and qualified for the 400 IM,” said Harvey.
The 25-year-old from Trois-Rivieres, Que., received the World Aquatics Breakout Athlete Award after being a finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and five-time medallist at the Budapest 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m).
“Coming off a good short course worlds and obviously having set multiple best times throughout the season is definitely a confidence booster coming into Trials and heading into worlds. I’m excited to see what I can do and where I’m at so far in the season,” Harvey said.
Nick Bennett, a double Paralympic champion originally from Parksville, B.C., is looking forward to racing in front of a Vancouver Island crowd.
“Having my family and friends watch means the world,” said Bennett.
The 21-year-old from Red Deer Catalina Swim Club was named Closing Ceremony co-flag bearer at last year’s Games.
“After Paris, I took a long break for my mental health and wasn’t back in the water until January. We’ve made some technical changes that I’m looking forward to implementing in my races. My eyes are on worlds this summer.”
CBC Gem and https://www.cbc.ca/player/sports/live will stream each session beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT for heats and 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT for finals. Every session will also be live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CBCSports/streams
Finals sessions will be voiced by play-by-play commentator Jasen Pratt, alongside Rio 2016 Olympic swimming medallist Brittany MacLean Campbell as colour commentator.
@swimmingcanada and @cbcolympics will also be posting content across their digital platforms. MacLean Campbell and on-site reporter Devin Heroux will host a live post-finals show weekday evenings on CBC Sports YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDsQU3UFA4hWNpRkQUQ9V2q1weYX0Z5tT
For full meet information: https://www.swimming.ca/event/2025-canadian-swimming-trials/