Interesting USA Today segment here on how drug testing is part of Missy Franklin’s routine.
-
-
CC photo #146: Paltrinieri European champion in the 1500 freestyle
Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri on the medal podium yesterday after winning the men’s 1500 freestyle at the Debrecen 2012 European Swimming Championships in a new championship record of 14:48.92, old record Yury Prilukov’s 14:50.40 from Eindhoven 2008. See result list here.
-
Denmark extends its contract with coach Wildeboer
The Danish Swimming Federation announced yesterday that they have made a new 4-year agreement with national coach Paulus Wildeboer, to be head coach of the National Training Center (NTC) in Bellahøj, Copenhagen up until and including the Rio 2016 Olympics. His former job as national head coach will on his request be split in two, him keeping the NTC position while they now look for another to be the national coach.
-
Bolkvadze first ever Georgian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics
Yesterday in the men’s 200 meter breaststroke, 17-year-old Irakli Bolkvadze from Georgia made the Olympic Invitation Time of 2:16.35, clocking exactly 2:16.35 and 24th in the heats here at the Debrecen 2012 European Swimming Championships. He is the first ever Georgian swimmer to make the Olympic cuts, previous Georgian Olympic swimmers having participated for USSR before Georgia’s independence in 1991, and then later (if I understand it correctly) been granted wild cards.
His time of 2:16.35 is a new national Georgian record, having also set a national record in the men’s 200 IM by clocking 2:05.57, and holding the national record of 4:29.92 in the men’s 400 IM. He is now ranked 11th European age 17-18 in the men’s 200 breaststroke.
I had a chat with national coach Zura Khomasuridze this morning, who explained how they were still recovering after wars that in his time as active swimmer meant that they had no 50 meter pools, or maybe a pool but no water. Things are improving rapidly though, with Bolkvadze qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics now, and other, even younger swimmers combing through the ranks. Irakli still trains in Georgia, as he has always done. Georgians are looking forward to hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival in July 2015, see Tbilisi 2015.
გილáƒáƒªáƒáƒ•áƒ— ირáƒáƒ™áƒšáƒ˜!
Thanks to Georgian Swimmers Club for info !
-
Lavrans Solli 25.40 and new Nordic record in the 50 backstroke
Norway’s Lavrans Solli managed an impressive time of 25.40 second in the men’s 50 meter backstroke yesterday, clearing Denmark’s Mathias Gydesen’s Nordic record of 25.44 from the Budapest 2010 Europeans, and qualifying for the final tomorrow here at Debrecen 2012. See results here.
-
Debrecen 2012: Germany extends its medal race lead
After three days of racing at the Debrecen 2012 European Swimming Championships, Germany jumps further ahead in the medal race with 2 more gold medals today, now 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze in total. Hungary is back in second place with 2 gold medals, 3 silver and 2 bronze, while Sweden overtakes France in third place with 2 gold medals and 2 silver. See SwimmingWorld Magazine for more detailed reports.
-
CC photo #145: Please clear the pool
Hungarians have good humor … and it worked ! :-)
-
Xop the official Barcelona 2013 mascot unveiled
A drop of water called Xop will be the official mascot of the 15th FINA World Championships Barcelona 2013. Read more here on FINA and visit bcn2013.com.
-
Debrecen 2012: Germany leading medal race, but France closing in
After two days of racing at the Debrecen 2012 European Swimming Championships, Germany still leads the medal race with 2 gold medals and 2 silver, while France has overtaken Hungary for the second spot with 2 gold medals and 1 silver over 1 gold and 2 silver. See SwimmingWorld Magazine for more detailed reports.
