Toronto’s Murphy Sets Canadian Swim Mark

Sean Murphy of Toronto set a Canadian record of 55.53 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke Wednesday in heats for the event at the Canadian Olympic swimming trials.

Murphy, 24, broke the record of 55.89 set Aug. 13, 1987, in Brisbane, Australia, by Mark Tewksbury of Calgary. Tewksbury was second in the heats at 56.06. The final was set for Wednesday night.

The world record of 55.16 was set March 16 by Igor Polianski of the Soviet Union.