Thompson, Yorke off to World Juniors

The FINA World Junior Swimming Championships were first held in 2006 in Rio de Janeiro and the last edition in 2015 was held in Singapore. Many Rio 2016 medallists made their international debuts at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, and both Yorke and Thompson will participate in their first ever World Juniors.

Thompson recently returned from the Bahamas, winning TTO’s first ever swimming medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, where he took bronze in the 50m freestyle. He qualified for ‘Worlds’ in the 50m breaststroke, but will also compete in the 50 and 200 free, and the 100 and 200 breast. Yorke qualified for ‘Worlds’ in the 50m butterfly, but will also compete in the 100m and 200m butterfly events. Both athletes represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Carifta and CCCAN Swimming Championships this year, with Yorke doing the treble gold this year in the 15- 17 male CARIFTA 50, 100 and 200 fly.

The team leaves today and will be coached by Joseph Mc Leod, who also accompanied Thompson to the Commonwealth Youth Games. Thompson will be the first to face the starter when the meet starts on Wednesday as he lines up for the 100 breast, while Yorke will close curtains for TT on August 28 with the 200m fly.

The 6th edition of the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships is open to females aged between 15-18 and males between 14-17. Over 600 young promising swimmers will be taking part in this six-day competition. 93 National Federations will be represented in Indianapolis.