Dylan Carter won here yesterday at the Rio Olympics, giving Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming world a boost.
The 20-year old Carter, making his first appearance at an Olympic Games, won Heat 4 of the Men’s 100 metres freestyle event at the Barra Aquatics Centre.
However, Carter’s time of 48.80 seconds was not good enough for him to progress to the semifinals as he finished in 23rd position and out of the top 16, losing out by 0.22 from qualification.
Precious metal aspirations may have also ended for rower Felice Aisha Chow and sailor Andrew Lewis, although both will again take to the seas on different missions.
History making Chow enjoyed another battling performance in the second quarterfinal heat of the individual women’s skull at Lagoa Stadium, finishing fifth in a time of 8.02 with only the top three advancing to the semifinal.
Lewis was 39th of the 45 sailors in race three of the Men’s One Person Dinghy in a time of 47.08 and followed up with 37th place in race four in 54.42.
His manager Kairon Serrette said it has been tough so far for the determined sailor. He said the team will use tomorrow’s day off to reassess the situation and put things together for the remaining races.
Chow will attempt to improve her position in the sport by taking part in the C and D finals today. “If I can sneak into the C finals that would be wonderful and further help to improve my position. That is my next target. I think all of this shows you must believe in yourself and just enjoy the moment and thankfully when you have the outstanding support of family and friends it makes all of this more pleasurable,” she said.
Chow, 39, described her experience so far as super. “Yes I know I am old but that will not deter me. In fact, I am enjoying this more than most because this is not full time for me with all the hard long hours of training for years. So to be able to be here and perform, I can laugh and smile and be happy but I am proud of my performance. My goal was to make the quarterfinal and I did that.”
“My next target is to reach the C finals and place as high as I can in the rankings, and just continue to give it my best. I intend to continue in this rowing. My body is in good shape and the support has been tremendous,” she added.
She described the quarterfinal as tough. “It seemed unlikely that I would be able to compete with the numbers 3 and 9 in the world but I gave it my best shot. Perhaps I could have taken out my sprint a little more but I tried to be conservative with the heat and the water after my experiences so maybe I was a little traumatized by that but this is about learning and adapting quickly and I feel as if I did that.”
Although he did not advance, Carter’s first place position in his Heat, provided something to cheer about for the small contingent of Trinidadians who witnessed it.
He was slowly away but at the halfway stage reduced the lead of Hungary’s Richard Bohus (23.20) and Dominik Kozma (23.24).
Carter’s 50 metres swim was recorded as 23.49
By the 75-metre point, Carter passed the pair to go on and win in a time of 48.80 ahead of Bohus (48.86) and Kozma (48.92).
“I am very happy with the result. This is my first Olympics and it is very special for me,” said Carter.
“Working with George and Ronald since I have been here at the Olympics has been very good. My times have been improving and the training has been rewarding and they are happy with my progress,” added Carter. “Coming here was never going to be easy, but I set myself goals, I want to learn and experience more of this atmosphere. Now that I have tasted it, I understand even more what has to happen in the future for my improvement.”