Yukon swimmer barely misses gold

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It was a trifle wet and chilly outside but inside the Frank Dunn Pool it was hot and steamy.

And busy and noisy.

This city pool in Central Saskatchewan was the venue for the swimming competitions during the 1993 North American Indigenous Games held July 18-25.

Dozens of competitors from across Canada made a big splash here, competing in a breast-stroke, back-stroke, freestyle, butterfly and individual medley. A total of 79 gold, 52 silver, and 40 bronze medals were won by the graceful swimmers, most of whom competed in more than three races.

To Mitch Primeau, the pool is home. This 11-year-old member of Team Saskatchewan is from Prince Albert and he has been swimming competitively for four years.

"The games are fun. The fireworks the other night (following the opening ceremonies) were super. I've also met some new people, nice people," said the swimmer.

Primeau completed in the 50 and 100-metre freestyle, the 200-metre individual medley, the 100-metre butterfly and the 100 and 200-metre back-stroke. He is a member of the Prince Albert Sprites Swim Club and he also plays softball and hockey.

Chanze Gamble, Primeau's swim coach, predicted his young swimmer would dominate the endurance events.

"Mitch does well with the sprints, but long distance is his speciality," he said.

To Glenda Clarke, the pool, along with everything else, was new. For this 16-year-old swimmer from Mayo, Yukon, participating in the games provided her first trip away from home. Clarke has been swimming competitively for two years but only in the summers because she practises in an outdoor pool.

Despite the limitation, Clarke is very talented. The missed a goal medal by a mere half-second in the 200-metre breast-stroke, coming in at 4.02.63. Albertans Juanita Minde took that honor, marking 3.56.12 on the clock.

Besides swimming, Clarke enjoys playing volleyball and running. She is entering Grade 11 this fall.

Clarke loved the games, not least because of the abundance of young men.

"They're so much fun. Lots of people, lots of guys. It's fun being here."