Canada's Taylor Ruck ties for 8th in qualifying for women's 50m freestyle semifinals

Taylor Ruck of Kelowna, B.C., has advanced to the women's semifinals in her first Olympic 50-metre freestyle swimming competition.

The 24-year-old touched the wall in 24.57 seconds, tying Wu Qingfeng of China for third in their heat and eighth of 16 swimmers for Saturday's semifinals at 2:39 p.m. ET at La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France.

"[It was] just one lap, not a lot to worry about. I'm definitely excited for [the] semis," Ruck told Devin Heroux of CBC Sports.

The fun had by the Canadian women's swimmers in Paris has led to success, led by Summer McIntosh and her trio of medal performances.

"I'm super grateful to be here [and my teammates] just inspire me so much to give it all in the pool," Ruck said. "Feeling that energy from the crowd, from your teammates, you couldn't ask for more."

Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden was the top qualifier in 23.85.

The Olympic record in the event is held by Australia's Emma McKeon (23.81) from July 31, 2021 in Tokyo.

All four of Ruck's Olympic medals have been earned in relay races, two apiece in Rio (2016) and Tokyo.

She qualified for the 50 free in Paris with a 25.14 effort at Canadian trials in May and was fifth at the World Aquatics Championships earlier this year.

Her lone medal podium finish in the event at a major championship is silver from the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Last Saturday, Ruck was a member of the Canadian women's 100 free relay team that finished fourth in the final, 2.69 seconds shy of the bronze medallists from China.

In women's relay action, Ingrid Wilm, Sophie Angus, Mary-Sophie Harvey and Penny Oleksiak won their 100m medley heat in three minutes 56.10 seconds, defeating the United States by 3-10ths of a second.

The