Music: {allcanada} Canada claims gold in Pan Am synchro swimming

Saturday, July 11, 2015

{allcanada} Canada claims gold in Pan Am synchro swimming

TORONTO – Canadians Jacqueline Simoneau and Karine Thomas are Rio-bound.

The synchronized swimmers won gold in the duet event at the Pan American Games to secure their spot in next summer's Rio Olympics.

Simoneau, an 18-year-old from Saint-Laurent, Que., and Thomas, 26, from Gatineau, Que., leaders after the technical program, scored 178.0881 for the gold.

Karem Achach and Nuria Diosdado of Mexico were second with 170.7800, while Mariya Koroleva and Alison Williams of the United States won the bronze with 166.3876.

Simoneau is a rising star in the sport, joining the national team in 2012, while Thomas is the only holdover from the squad that finished fourth at the London Olympics.

Simoneau and Thomas can add another gold today, as Canada is favoured to win the team event.