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Legard Succeeds at British Olympic Selection Trials
4/19/2021 4:05:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM – Former Duke swimmer Yusuke Legard wrapped up a successful week at the 2021 British Olympic Selection Trials that took place April 13-18 at the Aquatics Centre, the 2012 Summer Olympics pool, in London, England.
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Legard swam at Duke 2015-2019, captaining the team during his senior year. At the time of his graduation in 2019, Legard ranked second all-time at Duke in the 100 freestyle (43.33), fourth in the 50 freestyle (19.73) and sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:36.74) while helping break three program records in relay events. In addition, the Weybridge, Surrey, U.K., native was a three-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention selection.
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Entering the British Olympic Selection Trials, Legard was focused on enjoying the swim rather than the result. He kept that mindset throughout the week.
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"For me, my mindset was just going out there and enjoying it," Legard said. "The last two years since I have been swimming professionally have given me a lot of opportunities, opened a lot of avenues and also taught me so much about not just about swimming but life in general. As time went by I grew more and more confident in the pool.
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"The perspective I get from swimming now is more wholesome and less results oriented. My mindset was to go out there, enjoy it and stick to my game plan."
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Legard started the week with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle on Friday evening with a personal-best time of 49.35. Â
On Saturday, Legard suited up for the 50m freestyle in the morning preliminaries after a late swim on Friday night in the 100m freestyle finals. He earned qualification for the evening finals with a third-place finish in the morning.
"Saturday morning was the hardest one for me mentally and physically because I raced late the night before. When I woke up Saturday morning, I knew I had to just book my ticket into the final. I knew I was capable of something fast and I went decent but there were still things I needed to clean up for the evening."
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"At night, I knew I was going to go fast," Legard continued. "There was zero doubt in my mind that I was going to drop time. I executed my game plan pretty close to what I expected and I was very happy with the swim."
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Legard secured his best finish of the week Saturday evening, placing second in the 50-meter freestyle in with a personal best time of 22.10.
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Throughout the week, Legard recorded a personal best time in each of his four swims, twice in the 100m and twice in the 50m.
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During his time at Duke, Legard grew close and valued working with the staff and support staff of Duke swimming and diving. He continues to work with sports performance coach Carl Christensen. Legard praises Christensen and athletic trainer Aleah Kirsch for the role that they continue to have in his life.
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British Swimming will announce their Olympic and European Championship teams on Wednesday as Legard and many that competed over the past week at the Olympic Selection Trials await the announcement.
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#GoDuke
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Legard swam at Duke 2015-2019, captaining the team during his senior year. At the time of his graduation in 2019, Legard ranked second all-time at Duke in the 100 freestyle (43.33), fourth in the 50 freestyle (19.73) and sixth in the 200 freestyle (1:36.74) while helping break three program records in relay events. In addition, the Weybridge, Surrey, U.K., native was a three-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention selection.
Â
Entering the British Olympic Selection Trials, Legard was focused on enjoying the swim rather than the result. He kept that mindset throughout the week.
Â
"For me, my mindset was just going out there and enjoying it," Legard said. "The last two years since I have been swimming professionally have given me a lot of opportunities, opened a lot of avenues and also taught me so much about not just about swimming but life in general. As time went by I grew more and more confident in the pool.
Â
"The perspective I get from swimming now is more wholesome and less results oriented. My mindset was to go out there, enjoy it and stick to my game plan."
Â
Legard started the week with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle on Friday evening with a personal-best time of 49.35. Â
On Saturday, Legard suited up for the 50m freestyle in the morning preliminaries after a late swim on Friday night in the 100m freestyle finals. He earned qualification for the evening finals with a third-place finish in the morning.
"Saturday morning was the hardest one for me mentally and physically because I raced late the night before. When I woke up Saturday morning, I knew I had to just book my ticket into the final. I knew I was capable of something fast and I went decent but there were still things I needed to clean up for the evening."
Â
"At night, I knew I was going to go fast," Legard continued. "There was zero doubt in my mind that I was going to drop time. I executed my game plan pretty close to what I expected and I was very happy with the swim."
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What a swim Yusuke!
— Wycombe Swimming (@Wycombe_Swim) April 17, 2021
Massive PB to come 2nd & breaking a huge Club Record that was once a British Record as well ??
22.10 behind @BenProud - incredible!
Awesome effort & progression!
Congratulations ?? ???? pic.twitter.com/JhaYTbJCPg
Legard secured his best finish of the week Saturday evening, placing second in the 50-meter freestyle in with a personal best time of 22.10.
Â
Throughout the week, Legard recorded a personal best time in each of his four swims, twice in the 100m and twice in the 50m.
Â
During his time at Duke, Legard grew close and valued working with the staff and support staff of Duke swimming and diving. He continues to work with sports performance coach Carl Christensen. Legard praises Christensen and athletic trainer Aleah Kirsch for the role that they continue to have in his life.
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Â?? Shoutout to #DSDT alum Yusuke Legard for placing second in the 50 Free at the British Trials ?????????? pic.twitter.com/I9F5xsQjIL
— Duke Swimming/Diving (@DukeSWIMDIVE) April 17, 2021
British Swimming will announce their Olympic and European Championship teams on Wednesday as Legard and many that competed over the past week at the Olympic Selection Trials await the announcement.
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#GoDuke
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