July 13, 2012
T&T Olympic Games-bound swimmer George Bovell III said yesterday he was happy with his performances at the four-day Canada Cup, which ended at the Montreal Olympic Park 50m pool on Sunday. Bovell III, a seven-time World Championship finalist, won gold in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle and a bronze in the 100m freestyle. Last Friday, the 28-year-old claimed bronze in the men's 100m freestyle A final in 49.90 to trail club-mates Milorad Cavic (49.32) and Robert Savulich (49.58).
This after he was second in the sixth of eight heats in 50.60 behind Cavic (50.20). He then opted out of the 100m backstroke on Saturday, before returning to the pool for his double-gold swim on Sunday's final day of competition. First up, the Auburn University graduate touched the wall in 22.01 seconds, well ahead of his team-mate Duje Draganja (22.97) and Robert Savulich (23.00) to complete a Club Wolverine medal sweep.
Earlier on Sunday morning, Bovell III also topped the field in the 50m freestyle heats in 22.31 seconds ahead of Luke Peddie (23.25), Savulich (23.30), Richard Hortness (23.40) and Draganja (23.45). And in his third and final event, the T&T swimmer outclassed the field in the men's 50m backstroke in 25.80 seconds, a new national record, to beat Charles Francis (26.04) and Jeffrey Swanston (26.49) into second and third place respectively.
Commenting on his overall showing in his last competitive meet before he goes into battle in London at the Aquatic Centre, Bovell said: "The times were fast. My 50 freestyle time would have won the prestigious Paris Open, which was won by Matthew Target of Australia (22.14). "So I was faster than everyone else this weekend and I expect to get faster as I really rest and recover over the next 25 days in order to peak at the Olympics."
