Sask. swimmer qualifies for 2024 Olympic Games, sets Canadian record
A swimmer from Saskatoon has qualified for the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris.
Blake Tierney is set to compete on the world stage in the 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke.
With a time of 1:56.74 in the 200-metre backstroke, Tierney not only qualified for the Olympics but also broke a Canadian record.
"I shook the water out of my ears and heard them say, 'Canadian record.' I had to look up at the board ... I was kind of surprised by that," Tierney told CTV News, laughing.
This will be Tierney's first Olympic Games and first time in Paris.
"I'm very happy. I can't wait to go to Paris. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm super grateful for the performances I had and super grateful for everyone around me as well," the 22-year-old said.
Tierney's parents enrolled him in swimming lessons when he was around five years old.
"And then my competitive instinct caught me and I started trying to win," he said.
Tierney is currently living in Vancouver, where he's studying biomedical engineering at the University of British Columbia and swimming at the school's High Performance Centre.
He grew up in Saskatoon and competed with the Goldfins Swim Club throughout high school.
"Blake was always a very energetic kid. It was great to coach him. He always wanted to improve — which meant that I always needed to improve, and have the answers," Steven Hitchings, the head coach of the Goldfins, told CTV News.
Hitchings said he's proud to see Tierney qualify for the Olympics and will be cheering him on at home.
"It's a really proud moment, to see someone go on and do that. He had a close call in 2021 for Tokyo, so it's good to see him go through the next three years of his life and come back even stronger for it," Hitchings said.
After qualifying for the Olympics, Tierney celebrated at his cabin on Brightsand Lake, Sask.
"After trials, I went straight to the cabin with my grandma and grandpa for fishing for two days, but then had to get right back into training," Tierney said.
The Paris Olympic Games begin on July 26.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New photos released of Luigi Mangione as prosecutors obtain arrest warrant for suspect in N.Y. shooting
Manhattan prosecutors have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO.
'Governor Justin Trudeau': Trump appears to mock PM in social media post
Amid a looming tariff threat, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump appears to be mocking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to him as 'Governor Justin Trudeau' in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday.
Canada announces new sanctions against Chinese, Russian officials
Past and present senior Chinese officials, as well as Russian officials and collaborators, are the subjects of new human rights sanctions, the Canadian government said Tuesday.
'I never got the impression he would self-destruct:' Friends of suspect in fatal CEO shooting left in shock
Months before police identified Luigi Mangione as the man they suspect gunned down a top health insurance CEO and then seemingly vanished from Midtown Manhattan, another disappearing act worried his friends and family.
Google pulls McDonald's negative reviews over arrest in UnitedHealth murder
Google on Monday removed derogatory reviews about McDonald's MCD.N after the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson was arrested at its restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where police say a customer alerted a local employee about him.
Canadian man sentenced for embezzling US$1.4 million from employer and clients
U.S. authorities have sentenced a Canadian man to 20 months in prison for a US$1.4-million embezzlement scheme.
Freeland doesn't commit to meeting her own deficit target in fall economic statement
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is not committing to meeting the $40.1-billion deficit target she set for the government last year.
'Godfather of AI' Geoffrey Hinton receives Nobel Prize in physics
Artificial intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton and co-laureate John Hopfield have received the Nobel Prize for physics at a ceremony in Stockholm.
'I was just trying to help her': Ontario woman loses $14,000 to taxi scam
An Ontario woman thought she was helping another woman pay for their taxi ride, but instead she was defrauded of $14,000.
Regina
-
Regina firefighters rescue cats and dogs from burning duplex
Crews from the Regina Fire and Protective Services (RFPS) were on scene of an incident at a multi-family building late Monday evening.
-
Speciality chocolate bars sold in Sask. recalled due to possible salmonella contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall on a specialty chocolate bar – some of which were sold in Saskatchewan.
-
Province reviewing work environment in Regina hospitals following alleged misconduct
The Government of Saskatchewan is mounting a work environment review for physicians in Regina following allegations of racism, misconduct, and a lack of professionalism.
Winnipeg
-
Some small businesses concerned about making changes to comply with GST holiday
As the federal government prepares to lift the GST on a laundry list of items on Saturday, some small businesses are concerned making it happen will be a huge problem.
-
Canadian cancer patients facing roughly $33K in costs: report
A new report is highlighting the significant financial burden facing those who have received a cancer diagnosis.
-
Here's how much snow fell in parts of Manitoba Sunday
A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday.
Edmonton
-
Largest AI data centre in the world to be built in northwest Alberta
The world's largest Artificial Intelligence data centre will be built in northwest Alberta and comes with an estimated $70 billion price tag.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Cooler, cloudy and some light snow
The string of warmer-than-average temperatures is over.
-
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Calgary
-
Pedestrian hospitalized after being hit by garbage truck in downtown Calgary
A pedestrian was rushed to hospital after she was hit by a garbage truck in downtown Calgary on Tuesday.
-
'Governor Justin Trudeau': Trump appears to mock PM in social media post
Amid a looming tariff threat, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump appears to be mocking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to him as 'Governor Justin Trudeau' in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Mild midweek in Calgary with daytime highs around freezing
Light snow fell across portions of central and southern Alberta early Tuesday, with light and scattered flurries possible along that same narrow corridor extending from Red Deer to southwestern Saskatchewan.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge Hurricanes drop off donations at Chinook Regional Hospital
Members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes visited the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday to help deliver thousands of teddy bears collected during Friday's game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
-
'Go beyond the board': Chess helping Alberta youth keep troubles in check
Every Friday in a southern Alberta classroom, youth are learning how to keep their troubles in check.
-
Hurricanes rally for 4-3 victory over Tigers on Teddy Bear and Toque Toss night
It took the Lethbridge Hurricanes a period to get going Friday night, but once they did, VisitLethbridge.com Arena was raining teddy bears and toques as the Hurricanes defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-3.
Toronto
-
Police in York Region arrest 17 suspects allegedly part of criminal network involved in GTA home invasions
Police in York Region have arrested 17 people and seized $14 million worth of drugs in connection with a “criminal network” allegedly actively planning home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking.
-
Recall issued for pistachio chocolate bar sold across Canada due to ‘possible salmonella’
Chocolate lovers are being advised to check their cupboards following a recall of a pistachio-flavoured chocolate bar that was sold in Ontario and across Canada due to a salmonella risk.
-
Mayor Chow says rideshare services like Uber are contributing to downtown Toronto congestion
An attempt to cap private ride-share services like Uber and Lyft is back at Toronto council.
Ottawa
-
RAINFALL WARNINGRAINFALL WARNING Ottawa could receive up to 40 mm of rain Tuesday and Wednesday
Ottawa is set to receive a soaking from Mother Nature, with up to 40 mm of rain possible over the next two days. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, calling for rain, heavy at times, tonight and on Wednesday.
-
Ashcroft Homes receives court-ordered protection as it deals with $284 million in debt
Ottawa's Ashcroft Homes has received court-ordered protection from its creditors, as it owes banks and other lenders $284.5 million.
-
111 tickets issued in first 8 days of winter no-stopping restrictions on street near Ottawa Hospital General Campus
A "no-stopping zone" is in effect on a section of the eastern side of Lynda Lane, near Smyth Road, between Dec. 1 and March 31. In the first eight days of the winter "no-stopping zone" rules, 111 tickets were issued to vehicles for violating the order.
Montreal
-
Passengers forced off plane after smoke spotted at Montreal airport
Passengers on a plane about to leave Montreal for Fort Lauderdale were forced to leave their aircraft and reboard from another gate after smoke was spotted coming from a preconditioned air unit near the gate.
-
Catholic bishops in Quebec oppose premier's suggestion to ban public prayer
Quebec's Catholic bishops have come out against Premier François Legault's desire to end prayer in parks and other public places.
-
Vancouver
-
Jerry Seinfeld, Kumail Nanjiani among headliners at Just For Laughs Vancouver
Jerry Seinfeld is among the big names set to headline Just For Laughs Vancouver.
-
Park users push back as Vancouver edges Killarney, Memorial South Park FIFA plans forward
It was a tense evening at a Vancouver Park Board meeting on Monday, as commissioners voted to advance plans to build FIFA training facilities at Killarney Park and Memorial South Park, at a combined cost of $25-million.
-
Police nabbed 200 impaired drivers over the weekend, B.C. Highway Patrol says
Mounties say they took more than 200 impaired drivers off highways in B.C. over the weekend during the annual “Light Up the Province” campaign.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Vancouver Island
-
'Serial fraud artist': Crown wants 8-year jail term for fake nurse who treated nearly 1K B.C. patients
B.C. Crown prosecutors are calling for an eight-year prison term for a woman who illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across the province while impersonating a real nurse.
-
Police nabbed 200 impaired drivers over the weekend, B.C. Highway Patrol says
Mounties say they took more than 200 impaired drivers off highways in B.C. over the weekend during the annual “Light Up the Province” campaign.
-
What items are included in GST holiday relief? When does it start?
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping.
London
-
Alleged scammers hand over ID from out of country, police trying to identify them
On Monday, police said two people went to a home on Franklin Avenue and told the female homeowner they were contractors, offering to clean the eavestrough.
-
'Fully loaded gun' and drugs seized as part of London traffic stop
Around 10 p.m. on Sunday. police saw a vehicle travelling northbound in the southbound lanes of a construction zone in the area of Wellington Road and Southdale Road.
-
Pedestrian suffers life-threatening injuries in London crash
Around 8 p.m., emergency crews responded to the intersection of Adelaide Street north and Huron Street for the crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo Region mistakenly applied $13.7 M discount to Amazon build in Blair
The Region of Waterloo will not be able to demand $13.7 million from a developer after they said a discount was mistakenly issued for the development of an Amazon fulfillment centre.
-
'Near-zero visibility' from fog prompts weather advisory for Waterloo Region, Wellington County
The fog advisory, which came into effect early Tuesday morning, is expected to remain in place until late morning as dense fog blankets the region.
-
Man charged for damaging accessible van in Kitchener
Waterloo Regional Police have arrested a man after an accessible van was damaged in Kitchener.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. man on probation charged with intimate partner violence, firearms offences
New details have emerged about a police standoff in northern Ontario that sent a school and day care into lockdown last month after police lay intimate partner violence-related charges.
-
Sudbury police have several assault suspects in custody
Sudbury police closed an intersection downtown at Elm Street and Eyre Street Tuesday morning after an assault involving several people.
-
ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp
A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot
Atlantic
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Zach Churchill stepping down as leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party
Zach Churchill resigned as Nova Scotia Liberal leader Tuesday after leading his party to a resounding defeat in the Nov. 26 provincial election.
-
Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday
An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday.
-
'Time of fear is behind us': Syrian-Maritimer reacts to the fall of the Syrian government
Some Syrian-Canadians are greeting the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
-
Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
