By MATTHEW FISHER -- Sun Media
  SYDNEY -- A self-described "small-town prairie dog" from Moose Jaw almost beat "the big dogs" yesterday in the 100-metre butterfly yesterday.

 Michael Mintenko swam much faster than he ever had before and missed bringing home what would have been a surprise medal by one-third of a second.

 The handsome 24-year-old Saskatchewanian placed fifth in a Canadian record 52.58 seconds.

 "I knew I had to step up and do a best time to have a chance," the University of Nevada at Las Vegas student said moments after his swim. "I guess I am now one of the best guys in the world."

 Much to the wild Aussie crowd's disappointment, the race was won by Sweden's Lars Froelander, in 52 seconds flat. Australian Michael Klim, the world record-holder won the silver medal in 52.18 and compatriot Geoff Huegill, who set an Olympic record in a heat yesterday, took the bronze in 52.22.

 While the Australians looked thunderstruck, Mintenko was jubilant after a night of lying awake, saying to himself, "Don't think swimming. Don't think swimming."

 The butcher's son said, "I got to the wall and saw that I was three-tenths of a second under the Canadian record and I wasn't disappointed at all. I had fun."

 He dedicated his performance to his parents, who were in the crowd of 17,500. Mintenko was to swim the butterfly for Canada in the 4x100 medley relay, which closed the Olympic swimming early this morning.

 But Canada barely qualified for the race and has little chance for a medal.

 FINISHED EIGHTH

 It is the same story for Canada in the women's 4x100 medley which precedes it.

 Kelly Stefanyshyn of Winnipeg, who will swim in the medley, placed a distant eighth in the 200-metre backstroke. She finished several body lengths and more than six seconds behind the gold medallist, Diana Mocanu of Romania.

 "I just went for it when I started and I paid for that coming home," Stefanyshyn said. "It has been seven days of sleeping and swimming the whole time, but there are no excuses. I am very satisfied. For the rest of my life I can say that I was in an Olympic final."

 Canada's glory days of Alex Baumann, Elaine Tanner and so many other world-beaters are a fading memory.

 Stefanyshyn and Mintenko were the only Canadians to qualify for one of last night's four swimming finals.

 Canada's 39-member swim team qualified for just 12 finals in Sydney and goes home with just one bronze medal to show for a week in the pool.