Curtis Myden is King of the IM's in Canada but waiting in the wings is young Brian Johns. The 17-year-old high school student qualified for the Olympics in the 200 individual medley at the trials by beating the Olympic qualifying standard in the semifinal, then lowering it again in the final. He also made the 4X200 freestyle relay squad.

  "We see Brian as potentially our next great 200 IMer," said Canadian national team coach David Johnson. "He had tremendous swims at trials and it's something we've seen developing. His inconsistency is his biggest dilemma right now."

  Johns placed fourth in the 200 IM at the world short course championships last year and won bronze in the 4X200 relay at both the short course worlds and the Pan Pacific Championships. He started swimming at six and trained in a 100-foot long pool in Richmond until a new one was built three years ago.

2000 Games
Sept. 20: Men's 200-metre individual medley: Brian Johns, Richmond, B.C., was eighth in semifinal heat, eliminated.
Sept. 19: Men's 800-metre freestyle relay: Mark Johnston, St. Catharines, Ont.; Brian Johns, Richmond, B.C.; Michael Mintenko, Moose Jaw, Sask.; Rick Say, Salmon Arm, B.C.), were seventh in final.


2000 Games Swimming Coverage