Tokyo Olympics: Swimmer Andrew Fowler next up for Guyana

After inspiring performances from his compatriots, Table Tennis player Chelsea Edghill and boxer Keevin Allicock, the baton is now passed to Guyanese swimmer Andrew Fowler.

Fowler, who is at his first Olympics, will dive into action on Tuesday when he competes in Heat One of the Men’s 100m Freestyle at 06:00h (Guyana Time), subject to change.

The 25-year-old, who is an active member of the Guyana Police Force, will enter the heat with the fastest entry time 54.10s, which also happens to be his personal best and the national long course record.

However, from the nine heats expected, only the 16 fastest swimmers will progress to the semi-finals.

In June, Fowler swam 55.46s at a Tokyo qualifier held in The United States of America.

With an outside chance, it would be encouraging if Fowler’s heat is an extremely fast one, which would enhance his chances of possibly making the final 16.

But the majority of the swimmers in the heats coming after are entering with sub-50 second times.

The World record in the Men’s 100m is held by Brazilian César Cielo with a time of 46.91s set in Rome 2009, while the Olympic record, achieved in Beijing 2008, is held by Australian Eamon Sullivan (47.05s).

At Rio 2016, Australian Kyle Chalmers won gold with a time of 47.58s, as all the finalists produced sub-49 seconds times.

Fowler, along with Aleka Persaud, Guyana’s youngest Olympian at the age of 15, qualified based on Universality spots awarded to the sport, and both were in Tokyo prior to the start of the Games for a preparation camp.

Persaud, who will swim the 50m Freestyle, enters the pool on Friday, July 31, at 06:30h (Guyana time). She is currently listed to swim out of Lane Four and also has the fastest entry time – 28.10s – in her heat.