University of Toronto student and international swimmer Colin Russell is now a member of the Canada’s Olympic team and can book his ticket to Bejing, China. The Oakville-native won the 200m freestyle event at the Olympic Trials on Tuesday night (April 2) which automatically qualifies him for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Russell will compete for Canada in the 200m freestyle as well as the men’s 4×200m freestyle relay team. A Science major, Russell will also compete in the 100m freestyle race on Friday (April 4) in Montreal, as he looks to secure another spot on the men’s 4×100m freestyle team.

“This is a breakthrough for Colin”, states coach Byron MacDonald. “He beat the World Champ [100m freestyle] Brent Hayden - that’s quite the accomplishment. And after this performance, I’d say he has a great shot at making the 4×100m freestyle team as well.”

A medalist at 2005 World Championships and 2006 Commonwealth Games, Russell will be swimming for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues this fall. Although he has been attending university classes for the past two years and training here, he has not yet competed for the intercollegiate team.

Last season, Russell had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder and this year he focused solely on the Olympic Trials. However, the standout freestyler, who recently broke the Ontario senior record in the 200m free long course (1:48.7) and short course (1:44.6) this September, will begin the first of the remaining two years of eligibility he has left to swim for the Blues.

“Obviously Colin’s addition to the team will be huge,’ said MacDonald. “Any time you get a world class elite swimmer like Colin, the entire program benefits. While we have benefitted from his example the past two years, when he [finally] swims for the Varsity team this fall it will increase his contribution to the program even more. He is truly one of the top freestylers the country has ever seen.”