Barrowman Opens Quest in Kayaking

Four years ago, Costa Mesa’s Mike Barrowman won an Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke. Now he is trying for an encore as a kayaker.

Beginning today, Barrowman, who holds the world record of 2:10.16 in his swimming specialty, will bid for a berth on the American flatwater canoe/kayak team in preliminary Olympic trials at the Arco Olympic Training Center. Twenty-three of the 81 athletes competing will qualify for the Olympic Selection Camp, the last stop before the final trials May 4-5 in Gainesville, Ga.

Also in the field are 24 Olympic canoe/kayak veterans, including three-time Olympian Jim Terrell of Milford, Ohio.

Competition will be held in men’s and women’s kayak and men’s canoe. It will run through Monday.