Oak Bluff’s Tyler Mislawchuk on world stage

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This article was published 11/07/2016 (3564 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Canada’s athletes parade around during opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games, Oak Bluff’s Mislawchuk family will be cheering for their son, Tyler.

Tyler Mislawchuk is one of two Canadian men competing in men’s triathlon, a timed race that combines swimming, cycling and running. At 21, Mislawchuk will be among the youngest of the international field, but he’s determined to use his experience in Rio to further his professional career.

“I think about things that can get me good results. This definitely won’t be my last Olympics,” he said, speaking from his training headquarters in Spain.

Mislawchuk will join Andrew Yorke, Amelie Kretz, Kirsten Sweetland and Sarah-Anne Brault on the Canadian triathlon team. This will be the first Olympic experience for all of them.
Mislawchuk’s mother Eleanor and father Fred were anxiously awaiting the public announcement, made on June 29, that their son was named to Team Canada.

“Tyler has always been a full-speed-ahead individual, who gives 100 per cent at whatever he takes on. As a kid, he loved every sport and played as many as would fit the schedule,”

Eleanor wrote in an email message. “As parents, I don’t think we ever thought about the Olympics in his future; as Tyler enjoyed sport for the sheer fun it provided, he loved the social aspect, being part of a team and the competitive side as well.  When I stop and think about it, I believe the fact he enjoyed sport and was very driven were key factors in achieving his dream.”

Mislawchuk has had a good year so far with two career-best 10th and 11th-place finishes on the World Triathlon Series. He had to work his way back from a bike crash that resulted in three broken ribs, which impaired his performance at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. Despite this, Mislawchuk was named Triathlon Canada’s male athlete of the year in 2015.

Mislawchuk’s days are now totally devoted to training, fitness regimes, eating and sleeping to keep in top shape over the next few weeks.

“It’s pretty much a 24-7 job, but I don’t really call it a job because I love it,” he said.
Mislawchuk attended Oak Bluff Community School and Grades 9 and 10 at Sanford Collegiate. Prior to starting to compete in triathlon when he was 15, he’d played hockey. His training schedule took him to Vincent Massey Collegiate’s Sports School in Winnipeg to complete his high school.

He finds the running part of triathlon to be easiest, and enjoys cycling. Swimming comes hardest for him since he didn’t start swim training until he was 16.

“Swimming is my biggest challenge,” he said.

However, he looks forward to the Olympic competition that will take place at Fort Copacabana as it involves an ocean swim.

“Last year we did a test event there last August,” he said, adding that he has no concerns about the site’s safety.

Eleanor, Fred, sister Madison and his uncle and aunt are heading to Rio to watch Mislawchuk compete.

“While making the team for the Olympic Games is special in itself, my hope is that Tyler hits the start line healthy and fit, ready to deliver a performance he will be proud of. Secondly, I hope he finds some time to take in the full atmosphere of the games and what it means to be part of such an epic event,” Fred said in an email message.

The 2016 Rio Olympic Games run from Aug. 5 to 21, with the men’s triathlon scheduled for Aug. 18.

Fans can follow Mislawchuk on his Facebook page or visit www.triathloncanada.com

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