Smiths Falls’ very own Bailey Andison will be heading to the Tokyo Olympics. The renowned swimmer was successful at this week’s Olympic trials in Toronto and has been named to Canada’s Olympic swim team.
Andison, 23, grew up in Smiths Falls and is a member of the Perth Stingrays swimming club. She started swimming competitively at the age of 10 and has been winning medals since she was 12 years old. In 2019, Andison was part of Team Canada in the PanAm games in Lima, Peru. There she won bronze in the 200 metre individual medley (IM).
In August 2020, Andison was added to the Smiths Falls Wall of Fame, and last week was awarded the Brooke and Brittany Henderson Award for Youth.
In the Olympic trials in Toronto this week, Andison won 3rd place in the 400 metre IM with a speed of 4:38.66. Following the trials, Swimming Canada has chosen 26 swimmers to represent Canada in the Tokyo Olympics; 16 women and 10 men. The swim team will fly to Vancouver on July 3 for a fortnight of training, and travel to Japan on July 16.
The 2020 Summer Olympics were delayed for a year due to Covid-19, and will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
Congratulations, Bailey! We are Hometown Proud of you and will be cheering you on.