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--- Lane 9 News ---
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Olympics, Swimming: Flash Alain Bernard Reclaims World Record in Semifinal 1 of 100 Free, Eamon Sullivan Says Give Me That Back -- August 12, 2008
By John Lohn
BEIJING, China, August 13. WELCOME to a new realm in sprinting.
In back-to-back semifinals of the 100 freestyle this morning, France's Alain Bernard and Australia's Eamon Sullivan exchanged world-record performances to set up a dazzling championship final. More, the first sub-47 performance in the history of the event could be on the horizon. Yes, it's a different age in the sport.
Swimming in the first semifinal, Bernard rocketed off the blocks and delivered a time of 47.20 to wipe out the 47.24 standard that Sullivan set during his leadoff leg in the 400 freestyle relay. That record lasted just a few minutes, however, as Sullivan answered back in the second semifinal with a showing of 47.05.
While Bernard has clearly rebounded from his come-from-ahead defeat to Jason Lezak on the anchor leg of the 400 free relay, Sullivan looks unreal. Heck, the entire field is sizzling, with six athletes going 47-point during the semifinal round. The No. 3 qualifier was the Netherlands' Pieter van den Hoogenband, the two-time defending champion. He was timed in 47.68.
Grabbing the fourth position for the championship final was Australian Matt Targett, who was followed in the No. 5 slot by Sweden's Stefan Nystrand (47.91). Lezak came on strong in his semifinal to qualify sixth in 47.98. The field will be rounded out by South African Lyndon Ferns (48.00) and Brazilian Cesar Cielo (48.07).
Results: 2008 Olympic Games - Swimming
Premium Members - Search More About: Eamon Sullivan
Reaction Time Comments
August 12, 2008 hey..did you guys notice Garret´s eye was kind of wierd, it seemed like an allergic reaction... Submitted by: carls
August 12, 2008 46. for the finals anyone?
Holy cow!
This is a crazy morning! Submitted by: Hodori88
August 12, 2008 Yeah i think GWG got water in his goggles. Thats probably why his eye was really swollen. Did anyone else notice Bernard's GARBAGE finish? I think summer leaguers have better finishes than that, if he had a good finish he could have gone under 47. He is so powerful, but he needs to start thinking about the little things as well instead of just powering his way through the water. Submitted by: WUswimmer
August 12, 2008 That sucks if water in the goggles was a deciding factor for W-G; I thought he just had his goggles on too tight. I also didn't count on Targett when figuring both Lezak and WG in final. Like Rowdy said, there were so many, somebody wasn't gonna make it. Hayden got shut out too. Lezak; go get Torres entourage to walk all over those 32 year old muscles!! Submitted by: liquidassets
August 13, 2008 WUswimmer: Bernard finished the relay that way too. My 8-year old daughter finishes better. He and Sullivan are animals though. Submitted by: PhatMatt
Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
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