Para swimmer Sarah Mehain wins silver at Commonwealth Games

Canada’s Para swimming contingent has contributed to the nation’s medal count early at the Commonwealth Games with Sarah Mehain earning a silver on the first day of competition at Gold Coast, Australia. 

Mehain finished in second in the women’s S7 50m butterfly race, behind England’s Eleanor Robinson, with a time of 37.69 seconds. The 23-year-old was a gold medallist in the same discipline at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, and fourth at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. It is her first Commonwealth Games medal. 

Also competing in the race was fellow Canadian Tess Routliffe, who finished third in the four-person final. Only a gold and silver medal were awarded. 

The Para swimming team in Gold Coast also includes Rio 2016 gold medallists Aurelie Rivard and Katarina Roxon, as well as Morgan Bird, Sarah Girard, Samantha Ryan, Abi Tripp, Jean-Michel Lavalliere, Philippe Vachon, and Zach Zona. 

Canada has brought its largest number of para athletes ever to the Commonwealth Games in Australia, with 22 competitors travelling Down Under. Canadians are entered in three para sports at the Games – swimming, athletics, and table tennis. 

The Commonwealth Games began April 4 and run till April 15 in Gold Coast, Australia. DAZN is the official broadcaster in Canada, with CBC covering the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and airing special highlight shows on the weekends.