Canadian Olympic swimmer Josh Liendo may be just 22 years old, but he’s already stepping into a mentorship role for the swimmers following in his footsteps.
The Toronto native just capped his third year at the University of Florida, where he’s won nine NCAA national titles, including three consecutive titles in the men’s 100-yard freestyle event.
“Obviously “freshman Josh” was just trying to find my way and figure out how to swim in the NCAA,” Liendo told CBC Sports. “I’ve already been through it. I can help some of these younger guys, especially internationals who don’t really know anything about yards.”
Liendo has already captured four world medals, including the three he won during his breakout season at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in 2022.
He’s represented Canada at the past two Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, where won his first Olympic medal — a silver in the 100-metre butterfly.
“Last summer, there were some good results and there were some results that I would want to improve on,” he said. “Just excited to kind of put together what I’ve been working on and training.”
WATCH | Liendo takes on mentoring role:
Canadian Olympic silver medallist and 3-time NCAA champion Josh Liendo has made his mark swimming for the Florida Gators in the NCAA and since becoming a senior has taken on a mentorship role to other International swimmers in the program.
New events added to 2028 Olympics
At the LA 2028 Summer Olympics, three new events will be added to the program for the first time: the 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and 50m breaststroke.
At the Paris Olympics. Liendo swam the 50m butterfly in 23.24 seconds — a Canadian record — but says he has a “love-hate relationship” with the event.
“I’m not the best at it. My 50-metre best time is from Paris…I haven’t really figured it out,” he said. “I’m a little iffy on the 50 fly, the 100 has always been my stronger one.”
Liendo will be competing in the Canadian swim trials from June 7 to 12 in Victoria, B.C., and will then turn his attention to the aquatics worlds in Singapore, which begin July 11.
“I’m excited to race long course. I feel like I’m ready. I feel like the things that I’ve been working on in practice have been very much catered to in the long course this year, especially.”
At the University of Florida, Liendo trains under the same coach — Anthony Nesty — as the most decorated female Olympian in history, Katie Ledecky.
Earlier this month, the 28-year old American broke her own world record in the 800m freestyle at the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet, which she set nine years ago at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
“It’s good to see. She’s someone that works so hard, no one deserves it more,” Liendo said. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone at that level with a better attitude at that level than Katie.”
Honestly Katie Ledecky swimming with a glass of chocolate milk perfectly balanced on her head might be more mind blowing than winning seven Olympic golds…