Yannick Lupien is definitely the fastest talker on the Canadian swimming team and also one of its fastest swimmers in the sprint freestyles. Lupien showed he's in top form heading to the Olympics at the July trials. He posted personal best times in both the 50 and 100 freestyle races to earn an Olympic berth on the 4X100 freestyle relay, one of Canada's top medal hopes in swimming.
It was a great comeback for Lupien who has been injured and embroiled in controversy since he made his first Olympic appearance in 2000. At those Games, Canadian head coach Dave Johnson forgot to insert Lupien's name in the 50 freestyle event, a race in which Lupien was nowhere near a medal threat internationally. Lupien decided to pursue a lawsuit which is still unresolved today.
Last year just before the world championships he suffered neck and back injuries in a car accident. And earlier this year he perforated his ear drum, a serious affliction for a swimmer. Lupien is excited about the 4X100 relay's potential. "I think the guys are very excited," he said. "I seriously believe we can challenge for a medal, but we'll need all four guys to go under 50 seconds."
