Swimmer Jack Harvey secured Bermuda’s first medal at Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, when he finished third in the men’s 100 metres backstroke.

The Olympian, swimming in lane three, touched the pad in 54.69sec to seal a spot on the podium.

Argentinian Ulises Juan Saravia Pelaez won the race in a Junior Pan Am record of 53.89, while Maximilian Wilson, of the US Virgin Islands, was second in 54.31.

All three podium finishers were inside the the previous record of 53.38 that was set at the previous edition in Cali, Colombia, four year ago.

Harvey, who went into the final with the third-fastest time, spoke of how the disappointment of missing out on a medal in the 200 backstroke 24 hours earlier fuelled his desire to succeed in the 100.

“I’m absolutely delighted to get the bronze,” Harvey told The Royal Gazette.

“Going into the final, I was third [in qualifying] and I was eyeing that medal. After missing out in the 200 backstroke, I knew this was my last shot at it, so I gave it everything I had in the pool.

“It was a really competitive field with a lot of really great guys. I was up against the best in the region, so I knew that it was going to be tight and I had to put together a perfect race to step on the podium.

“Coming fourth is always the worst place to finish when you’re outside a medal position. I was able to put that aside, refocus, get my mind right and finish in a really good position.

“I came here seeded third in the 100 backstroke. If I were to walk away from Paraguay with no medal, it would have been a disappointment for me, so I’m super happy that’s not the case.”

The Penn State University graduate was proud to achieve the feat in front of his parents, coach Shona Palmer, his team-mates, Bermuda Olympic Association president Peter Dunne and Branwen Smith-King, the BOA secretary-general.

“My mum and dad were able to make the journey down to Paraguay, so it was super special to see them after my podium finish,” the 22-year-old said.

“Having my parents down is obviously a big plus. My coach, Shona Palmer, and then all the other Bermuda swimmers, we had a lot of high energy; they were all congratulating me.”

Harvey is back in action in the 50 freestyle this morning, when he has less expectations in an event that is not his speciality.

“I’m a backstroke specialist, so the freestyle is more of a fun race for me,” he added.

“I’m definitely not expecting to get a medal. I’m just going to go out there and race; if I end up in a final, that would be a great result.”

Dunne, who presented Harvey with his medal, was delighted to witness the island’s first medal at the Games.

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to present the medal to Jack,” the BOA president said.

“It’s a very special moment for the athlete, swimming team and Team Bermuda. I've presented medals before, but to have that opportunity to present it to one of our athletes is really great. It’s something I’ll treasure for a long time.”

Meanwhile, Marleigh Howes, Bermuda’s only female swimmer at the Games, clocked 1min 0.32sec, to finish seventh in heat four of the women’s 100 freestyle.

In the men’s 200 breaststroke, Sam Williamson stopped the clock at 2:28.61 to settle for sixth in heat one. Elijah Daley’s time of 2:28.85 saw him finish seventh in heat two.

The two swimmers qualified for the B final, where Daley registered a time of 2:25.73 to finish fifth, while Williamson was placed farther down in 2:26.97.

Howes is swimming today in the women's 50 freestyle heat two, while Williamson is also in the second heat of the men's 400 individual medley.