COUNTRY TIDBITS Editor’s Note: Other than splitting the Americas into north and south regions, Swimming World follows the FINA region and national federation structure as part of its regional spotlights. Unless otherwise indicated, the performances for each of the following swimmers were swum at last year’s World Championships in Shanghai, China (July 24-31, 2011).
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As of June 1, 2012, there are 57 days until the opening ceremonies of the XXXth Olympic Games. Beginning in its January
Antigua and Barbuda (ANT)
issue and running through ER
Karin O’Reilly Clashing turned in her country’s best performances at last year’s World Championships with a 49th in the 50 meter fly (36.87) and 68th in the 50 free (31.41).
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June, Swimming World MA
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Aruba (ARU)
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swimmers from around the
Daniella van den Berg competed in both medley races, taking 35th in the 400 (5:18.27) and 36th in the 200 (2:30.02).
world.
The Bahamas (BAH) Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, an NCAA champion at Auburn University, led her country to 35th place in the team standings with 18 points, placing seventh in the 50 free (24.79) and 10th in the 100 (54.46).
Barbados (BAR) Bradley Ally was the lone representative for Barbados in Shanghai, finishing 17th in the 200 IM (2:00.03), 36th in the 100 back (55.88) and 40th in the 100 fly (54.42).
Bermuda (BER) Bermuda’s top performer at Worlds was Roy Berch in the 50 and 100 free (28th, 22.69; 47th, 51.01).
Canada (CAN) Ryan Cochrane earned his country’s first medal in the men’s 1500 free in 88 years by finishing third at the Beijing Olympics (14:42.69). In 2007, Brent Hayden became the first Canadian in 21 years to win a world title when he tied for first in the 100 free (48.43). Canada’s top women from their recent Olympic Trials were Julia Wilkinson (first, 100 free 54.73, 100 back 59.85 and 200 IM 2:12.78), Jillian Tyler (first, 100 breast 1:07.18), Tera van Beilen (first, 200 breast 2:24.03; second, 100 breast 1:07.37) and backstroker Sinead Russell (see feature, page 18).
Cayman Islands (CAY) The Fraser brothers, Shaun and Brett, were the top swimmers for the Cayman Islands in Shanghai. Shaun finished 14th in the 200 free (1:48.46) and 38th in the 100 fly (54.19), while Brett placed 17th in the 100 free (48.98) and 25th in the 50 (22.65).
Costa Rica (CRC) Marie Laura Meza led her country with a 32nd-place finish in the 200 fly (2:23.68). She also took 42nd in the 100 fly (1:05.05).
Cuba (CUB) Hanser Garcia broke onto the international scene with an 18th-place showing in the 14
June 2012
WOMEN
O BRONZE (25.23) O SILVER (54.84) O GOLD (1:57.90) O SILVER (4:07.37) O GOLD (8:25.52) O BRONZE (1:01.43) O SILVER (1:08.17) O BRONZE (2:26.88) O SILVER (58.74) O GOLD (2:08.67) O SILVER (2:11.91) O BRONZE (4:37.58) O GOLD (4:02.54) O GOLD (3:39.46)
Dorian McMenemy paced her country by placing 36th in the 50 fly (29.37) and 46th in the 100 fly (1:06.58).
El Salvador (ESA)
50 FREE 50 FREE 100 BACK 100 BACK 100 BACK 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 200 FLY 200 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
MATT BIONDI, USA TOM JAGER, USA MARK TEWKSBURY, CAN JEFF ROUSE, USA DAVID BERKOFF, USA NELSON DIEBEL, USA MIKE BARROWMAN, USA PABLO MORALES, USA MEL STEWART, USA GREG BURGESS, USA ERIC NAMESNIK, USA UNITED STATES CANADA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O SILVER (22.09 O BRONZE (22.30) O GOLD (53.98) O SILVER (54.04) O BRONZE (54.78) O GOLD (1:01.50) O GOLD (2:10.16) O GOLD (53.32) O GOLD (1:56.26) O SILVER (2:00.97) O SILVER (4:15.57) O GOLD (3:36.93) O BRONZE (3:39.66) O GOLD (3:16.74) O BRONZE (7:16.23)
Alexia Benitez posted a 27th-place finish in the women’s 800 free (9:00.04) and 30th in the 400 free (4:22.59) for her country’s top finishes.
Grenada (GRN) Esau Simpson posted the top two swims for his country with a 60th-place 50 free (24.72) and 68thplace 100 (53.85).
Guatemala (GUA) Maria Coy clocked a pair of 33rd-place finishes to lead her nation, turning in a 2:45.32 in the 200 breast and a 5:11.28 in the 400 IM.
1996 ATLANTA
Brad Hamilton was the lone swimmer to compete at Worlds last summer for Jamaica, finishing 47th in the 100 fly (56.48). Last March, he retired from the sport. Meanwhile, Alia Atkinson will be making her third Olympic appearance as the only Jamaican swimmer to qualify thus far for London. At Beijing in 2008, she finished 25th in the 200 breast (2:29.53).
Mexico (MEX) Patricia Castaneda led Mexico in
50 FREE 100 FREE 200 FREE 800 FREE 100 BACK 100 BACK 200 BACK 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 100 FLY 200 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
AMY VAN DYKEN, USA ANGEL MARTINO, USA CLAUDIA POLL, CRC BROOKE BENNETT, USA BETH BOTSFORD, USA WHITNEY HEDGEPETH, USA WHITNEY HEDGEPETH, USA AMANDA BEARD, USA AMANDA BEARD, USA AMY VAN DYKEN, USA ANGEL MARTINO, USA MARIANNE LIMPERT, CAN ALLISON WAGNER, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
Shanghai with a 16thplace 16:26.36 in the women’s 1500 free. She also took 20th in the 800 (8:42.65).
O GOLD (24.87) O BRONZE (54.93) O GOLD (1:58.15) O GOLD (8:27.89) O GOLD (1:01.19) O SILVER (1:01.47) O SILVER (2:11.98) O SILVER (1:08.09) O SILVER (2:25.75) O GOLD (59.13) O BRONZE (59.23) O SILVER (2:14.35) O SILVER (4:42.03) O GOLD (4:02.88) O GOLD (3:39.29) O GOLD (7:59.87)
Y E A R S
Jamaica (JAM)
WOMEN
Honduras (HON) Ana Maria Castellanos showed her consistency with a 34th-place finish in the 400 IM (5:16.41) and a 35th-place showing in the 200 breast (2:45.63).
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ANGEL MARTINO, USA JENNY THOMPSON, USA NICOLE HAISLETT, USA JANET EVANS, USA JANET EVANS, USA LEA LOVELESS, USA ANITA NALL, USA ANITA NALL, USA CRISSY AHMANN-LEIGHTON, USA SUMMER SANDERS, USA SUMMER SANDERS, USA SUMMER SANDERS, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
Dominican Republic (DOM)
P A S T
50 FREE 100 FREE 200 FREE 400 FREE 800 FREE 100 BACK 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 200 FLY 200 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR
MEN
1992 BARCELONA
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men’s 100 free (48.99). He also took 29th in the 50 (22.72).
Nicaragua (NCA) Omar Nuñez led Nicaragua by placing 27th in the men’s 1500 (17:41.77) and 80th in the 100 free (56.76). — continued on 16
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GARY HALL JR., USA GARY HALL JR., USA JEFF ROUSE, USA RODOLFO FALCON, CUB NAISSER BENT, CUB BRAD BRIDGEWATER, USA TRIPP SCHWENK, USA JEREMY LINN, USA TOM MALCHOW, USA CURTIS MYDEN, CAN TOM DOLAN, USA ERIC NAMESNIK, USA CURTIS MYDEN, CAN UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O SILVER (22.26) O SILVER (48.81) O GOLD (54.10) O SILVER (54.98) O BRONZE (55.02) O GOLD (1:58.54) O SILVER (1:58.99) O SILVER (1:00.77) O SILVER (1:57.44) O BRONZE (2:01.13) O GOLD (4:14.90) O SILVER (4:15.25) O BRONZE (4:16.28) O GOLD (3:34.84) O GOLD (3:15.41) O GOLD (7:14.84)
WOMEN
50 FREE 100 FREE 100 FREE 200 FREE 400 FREE 400 FREE 400 FREE 800 FREE 800 FREE 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 200 FLY 200 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
DARA TORRES, USA DARA TORRES, USA JENNY THOMPSON, USA CLAUDIA POLL, CRC BROOKE BENNETT, USA DIANA MUNZ, USA CLAUDIA POLL, CRC BROOKE BENNETT, USA KAITLIN SANDENO, USA MEGAN QUANN, USA KRISTY KOWAL, USA AMANDA BEARD, USA DARA TORRES, USA MISTY HYMAN, USA CRISTINA TEUSCHER, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O BRONZE (24.63) O BRONZE (T54.43) O BRONZE (T54.43) O BRONZE (1:58.81) O GOLD (4:05.80) O SILVER (4:07.07) O BRONZE (4:07.83) O GOLD (8:19.67) O BRONZE (8:24.29) O GOLD (1:07.05) O SILVER (2:24.56) O BRONZE (2:25.35) O BRONZE (58.20) O GOLD (2:05.88) O BRONZE (2:13.32) O GOLD (3:58.30) O GOLD (3:36.91) O GOLD (7:57.80)
MEN
2000 SYDNEY
50 FREE 50 FREE 100 FREE 400 FREE 1500 FREE 100 BACK 200 BACK 200 BACK 100 BREAST 200 FLY 200 IM 200 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
ANTHONY ERVIN, USA GARY HALL JR., USA GARY HALL JR., USA KLETE KELLER, USA CHRIS THOMPSON, USA LENNY KRAYZELBURG, USA LENNY KRAYZELBURG, USA AARON PEIRSOL, USA ED MOSES, USA TOM MALCHOW, USA TOM DOLAN, USA TOM WILKENS, USA TOM DOLAN, USA ERIK VENDT, USA CURTIS MYDEN, CAN UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O GOLD (T21.98) O GOLD (T21.98) O BRONZE (48.73) O BRONZE (3:47.00) O BRONZE (14:56.81) O GOLD (53.72) O GOLD (1:56.76) O SILVER (1:57.35) O SILVER (1:00.73) O GOLD (1:55.35) O SILVER (1:59.77) O BRONZE (2:00.87) O GOLD (4:11.76) O SILVER (4:14.23) O BRONZE (4:15.33) O GOLD (3:33.73) O SILVER (3:13.86) O SILVER (7:12.64)
OLYMPIC PREVIEW - NORTH AMERICA — continued from 15
Panama (PAN) Edgar Crespo competed in all three breaststroke events, placing 21st, 40th and 36th, respectively, in the 50, 100 and 200 (28.15, 1:01.94, 2:17.38). 16
June 2012
He also finished 52nd in the 100 fly (57.24).
Puerto Rico (PUR) Breaststroker Patricia Casellas finished 25th in the 50 (33.62) and 35th in the 100 (1:13.16).
Saint Lucia (LCA) Danielle Beaubrun nearly made semis in the women’s 50 breast with a 19th-place 32.27. She also finished 32nd in the 100 breast (1:11.34).
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VIN) Tolga Akcayli was his country’s only competitor, placing 50th in the 50 fly (30.05) and 73rd in the 50 free (25.96).
Trinidad and Tobago (TRI) George Bovell took seventh in the 50 free (22.04), which scored 11 points and placed his country 39th in the team standings.
United States (USA) The United States clearly has many of the sport’s elite swimmers. Michael Phelps is already the greatest ever with his record eight gold medals in Beijing, and he will potentially be vying to become the first man to win three straight Olympic titles in an event if he chooses to swim the 400 IM. If he does not, then Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima will be in line for that honor with title defenses in both the 100 and 200 breast. Should Kitajima fall short, Phelps can go for three straight in the 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 IM. [PHOTO BY KYLE TERADA, US PRESSWIRE]
MEN
50 FREE 100 FREE 100 BACK 100 BACK 100 BACK 200 BACK 200 BACK 100 BREAST 200 FLY 200 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
PICTURED » The USA’s Rebecca Soni will be looking to continue her mastery in the women’s breaststroke, which has led to two straight female World Swimmer of the Year titles.
The U.S. Trials (scheduled for later this month) will also feature plenty of other stories involving Brendan Hansen, Dara Torres, Natalie Coughlin, Jessica Hardy and Amanda Beard, among others.
WOMEN
Meanwhile, Rebecca Soni will be looking to continue her mastery in the women’s breaststroke, which has led to two straight female World Swimmer of the Year titles. Additionally, teenage phenom Missy Franklin will have the opportunity to continue her meteoric rise at the U.S. Olympic Trials and London Olympics.
2004 ATHENS 100 FREE 400 FREE 800 FREE 100 BACK 200 BREAST 200 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
NATALIE COUGHLIN, USA KAITLIN SANDENO, USA DIANA MUNZ, USA NATALIE COUGHLIN, USA AMANDA BEARD, USA AMANDA BEARD, USA KAITLIN SANDENO, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O BRONZE (54.40) O BRONZE (4:06.19) O BRONZE (8:26.61) O GOLD (1:00.37) O GOLD (2:23.37) O SILVER (2:11.70) O SILVER (4:34.95) O SILVER (3:59.12) O SILVER (3:36.39) O GOLD (7:53.42)
MEN
Come London, all eyes will be on Ryan Lochte to see if he will defend his title as the world’s greatest swimmer. For the past two years, he has been recognized as Swimming World’s male World Swimmer of the Year, but will he be able to do the same in an Olympic year? Or will a fully motivated Phelps regain the spotlight in what the superstar is already calling his swan song in the sport?
50 FREE 200 FREE 400 FREE 1500 FREE 100 BACK 200 BACK 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 100 FLY 200 FLY 200 IM 200 IM 200 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
GARY HALL JR., USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA KLETE KELLER, USA LARSEN JENSEN, USA AARON PEIRSOL, USA AARON PEIRSOL, USA BRENDAN HANSEN, USA BRENDAN HANSEN, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA IAN CROCKER, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA RYAN LOCHTE, USA GEORGE BOVELL, TRI MICHAEL PHELPS, USA ERIK VENDT, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O GOLD (21.93) O BRONZE (1:45.32) O BRONZE (3:44.11) O SILVER (14:45.29) O GOLD (54.06) O GOLD (1:54.95) O SILVER (1:00.25) O BRONZE (2:10.87) O GOLD (51.25) O SILVER (51.29) O GOLD (1:54.04) O GOLD (1:57.14) O SILVER (1:58.78) O BRONZE (1:58.80) O GOLD (4:08.26) O SILVER (4:11.81) O GOLD (3:30.68) O BRONZE (3:14.62) O GOLD (7:07.33)
Virgin Islands (ISV) Branden Whitehurst was his country’s lone competitor at last summer’s World Championships, placing 40th in the 200 IM (2:09.58) and 46th in the 100 free (50.95).
WOMEN
50 FREE 100 FREE 400 FREE 100 BACK 100 BACK 200 BACK 100 BREAST 200 BREAST 100 FLY 200 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
MEN
2008 BEIJING
100 FREE 200 FREE 200 FREE 400 FREE 1500 FREE 100 BACK 100 BACK 200 BACK 200 BACK 100 FLY 200 FLY 200 IM 200 IM 400 IM 400 IM 400 MR 400 FR 800 FR
Did Not Compete Dominica plus Turks and Caicos Islands did not compete at last year’s World Championships.
DARA TORRES, USA NATALIE COUGHLIN, USA KATIE HOFF, USA NATALIE COUGHLIN, USA MARGARET HOELZER, USA MARGARET HOELZER, USA REBECCA SONI, USA REBECCA SONI, USA CHRISTINE MAGNUSON, USA NATALIE COUGHLIN, USA KATIE HOFF, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O SILVER (24.07) O BRONZE (53.39) O SILVER (4:03.29) O GOLD (58.96) O BRONZE (59.34) O SILVER (2:06.23) O SILVER (1:06.73) O GOLD (2:20.22) O SILVER (57.10) O BRONZE (2:10.34) O BRONZE (4:31.71) O SILVER (3:53.30) O SILVER (3:34.33) O BRONZE (7:46.33)
JASON LEZAK, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA PETER VANDERKAAY, USA LARSEN JENSEN, USA RYAN COCHRANE, CAN AARON PEIRSOL, USA MATT GREVERS, USA RYAN LOCHTE, USA AARON PEIRSOL, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA RYAN LOCHTE, USA MICHAEL PHELPS, USA RYAN LOCHTE, USA UNITED STATES UNITED STATES UNITED STATES
O BRONZE (47.67) O GOLD (1:42.96) O BRONZE (1:45.14) O BRONZE (3:42.78) O BRONZE (14:42.69) O GOLD (52.54) O SILVER (53.11) O GOLD (1:53.94) O SILVER (1:54.33) O GOLD (50.58) O GOLD (1:52.03) O GOLD (1:54.23) O BRONZE (1:56.53) O GOLD (4:03.84) O BRONZE (4:08.09) O GOLD (3:29.34) O GOLD (3:08.24) O GOLD (6:58.56) June 2012
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[PHOTO BY CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, REUTERS]
DARKHORSE MEDAL CONTENDERS
S
Canada’s Sinead Russell continues to achieve her swimming goals despite being surrounded by family controversy.
ince 1997, Sinead Russell’s father, Cecil, has been banned for life from coaching twice after being part of steroid and other drug distribution rings. Additionally, he admitted to helping dispose of a murder victim by burning the dead body in a corn silo at his home. Yet, despite the obvious distractions, Sinead has remained focused on her swimming goals, and at the Canadian Olympic Trials, March 27-April 1, she qualified for her country’s Olympic team in the 100 and 200 back with times of 1:00.45 and 2:08.04. In fact, her winning performance in the 200 was a Canadian record! In an interview with the Toronto Star after Trials, the young swimmer who will turn 19 later this month, admitted, “(What I’ve been through) has made me tougher. It’s made me more determined to do what I do. I’ve been basically swimming my whole life for this.
Now that it’s finally happened, it’s amazing.” Russell, who is bound for the University of Florida this fall, will definitely be considered a darkhorse in the 100 and 200 back at London. At last summer’s World Championships, she finished eighth in the 100 (1:00.20) after qualifying second in prelims (59.80) and fifth in semis (59.68, a national record). She just missed making finals in the 200 back, placing ninth in 2:08.80. Her recent time of 2:08.04, though, is among the world’s current top 10 performers. So don’t count her out just yet. She may be an underdog, but what she’s been through with her father has made her stronger and more determined. Y
PITCURED » Backstroker Sinead Russell qualified for the London Olympics by winning the 200 (national record 2:08.04) at Canada’s Olympic Trials, March 27-April 1, and by placing second in the 100 (1:00.45).
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