By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT’S the second time around for Grand Bahamian Joanna Evans and, like she did in her initial appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016, she’s hoping to make a splash in the pool at the 2020 Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old University of Texas graduate is already in Tokyo, Japan with fellow Bahamian swimmer Izaak Bastian and team manager Rochelle Bastian (the mother of Izaak) in preparation for the start of the games on July 23.

“So far, it has been really smooth,” said Evans, when asked to compare the conditions she’s encountered in the two Olympics so far.

“There’s always some minor kinks to figure out with travel and a new place, but it has been good.”

Evans, a former student of Bishop Michael Eldon High School, was referring to the stringent protocol measures put in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that postponed the games last year.

“As expected, everyone is being super careful for obvious reasons,” she stated, indicating that the restrictions in place have been very helpful to their safety in the Games Village.

Back as the leader of the two-member swimming team, which is a part of a 14-member track and field team, Evans said she’s looking forward to doing her part when she starts competing on Saturday in her specialty in the women’s 400 metres freestyle.

“I would say it’s been quite a while since I’ve been at a big meet and so it’s exciting,” said Evans, who hopes to improve on her lifetime best time of four minutes and 07.33 seconds – a Bahamas national record. She will also compete in the 200m freestyle where her national record time is 1:58.03.

She joins Bastian, who will also have double duties when he makes his debut at the games. He will begin competition on Friday as well in the men’s 100m breaststroke.

“Izaak is a great teammate,” Evans said. “We’ve been on trips before, but this is his first Olympics and it is fun to be with someone who hasn’t been to an Olympics. It’s a nice reminder that what we do is so much fun.”

As team manager, Rochelle Bastian said she’s excited about the expectations for Evans.

“She came in with an A cut, so I anticipate that she will do very well and get second swims to get a higher ranking,” she said. “So I expect some great things from her at these Olympics.”

Bastian said the expectation is that Evans will improve on her performance in Rio, which should enable her to be a contender for the finals in Tokyo.

“Right now, she looks really, really good,” Bastian summed up.

As she waits for the rest of Team Bahamas to arrive and for her to start competing, Evans said her plans for the games are very simple.

“The plan is to swim in the prelims to get my second swims,” said Evans, who did that in Rio when she placed 13th overall in the 400m freestyle.

Before the competition starts, Evans is also pegged to carry the national flag with men’s high jumper Donald Thomas during the official opening ceremonies on Friday.

“It’s a good sign for Bahamian swimming that a swimmer is involved once again,” Evans said. “I also think that it’s going to be good for me as it will be an impressive ceremony and will kick me into game mode.”

Evans said she’s just honoured to be selected once again for the special duties and she’s looking forward to it.