Pan American Games: Controversy Mars Third Night of Swimming; Leonardo De Deus Wins Appeal

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 17. WITH a controversial application of an apparel rule in the men's 200 fly marring the third night of action, the Pan American Games continued to roll on with Brazil and the United States trading shots at the top of the podium.

With a strong outing from its women this evening, Team USA finished with 20 medals (eight gold, eight silver, four bronze), while Brazil stood second with 12 medals (six gold, four silver, two bronze). Venezuela moved to third with four medals (one silver, three bronze).

Women's 400 free
USA's Gillian Ryan gave the U.S. another gold medal with a time of 4:11.58. She had a sterling final 50 meters with a 30.07 to move from third to first after the final turn. Venezuela's Andreina Pinto could not hold Ryan off even after turning first, and settled for silver with a 4:11.81. Chile's Kristel Kobrich hit the wall third in 4:13.31.

Brazil's Joanna Maranhao (4:13.71), Argentina's Cecilia Biagioli (4:15.41), Mexico's Susana Escobar (4:17.55), Mexico's Patricia Castaneda (4:18.10) and USA's Ashley Steenvoorden (4:20.51) completed the finale.

Men's 200 fly
After initially being disqualified for what meet officials stated was an unacceptable amount of logos on his cap, Brazil's Leonardo De Deus' win was reinstated after an appeal from the Brazilian delegation. De Deus, who had won the race in 1:57.92, was seen giving his cap to an official when asked for it. De Deus had a sponsor on his cap, and officials initially applied Pan American Games rules that stated only the manufacturer of the cap is allowed to have a logo on sportswear or accessories.

The controversy certainly stirred up the online Brazilian community, which certainly responds vociferously to dramatic events surrounding its competitors (see Felipe Silva's 50 breast finish at Worlds), as "Leonardo De Deus" began trending worldwide on Twitter shortly after the dispute.

USA's Dan Madwed clipped Brazil's Kaio Almeida at the touch, 1:58.52 to 1:58.78, for the silver medal. The two traded spots throughout the race with Madwed touching ahead when it counted. Colombia's Omar Pinzon finished fourth, just missing the podium with a 2:01.36.

Venezuela's Marcos Lavado (2:01.62), USA's Robert Margalis (2:01.95), Mexico's Israel Duran (2:02.45) and Peru's Mauricio Rafael Fiol (2:03.36) also swam in the finale.

Women's 100 breast
USA's Annie Chandler, who came up just short of being named NCAA Woman of the Year last night, cleared 1:08 to win the event in 1:07.90. That swim just missed Annamay Pierse's Games record of 1:07.78 set in 2007. Chandler has been faster this year with a 10th-ranked 1:07.17 from U.S. Nationals in August.

Team USA went 1-2 in the event with Ashley Wanland capturing second-place honors in 1:08.55, while Canada's Ashley McGregor earned bronze in 1:08.96.

Jamaica's Alia Atkinson (1:09.11), Canada's Kierra Smith (1:10.23), Brazil's Tatiane Sakemi (1:11.46), Mexico's Arantxa Medina (1:12.29) and Argentina's Julia Sebastian (1:12.60) rounded out the championship field.

Men's 100 back
Brazil's Thiago Pereira completed a strong night for his country with a scorching final 50 meters to capture gold in the backstroke with a 54.56. He clocked a closing 27.97 down the final stretch after turning fourth with a 26.59.

Eugene Godsoe finished second for silver for the U.S. with a 54.61, while Brazil's Guilherme Guido turned in a bronze-winning 54.81.

USA's David Russell (54.87), Argentina's Federico Grabich (55.22), Cuba's Pedro Medel (56.16), Venezuela's Luis Rojas (57.54) and Paraguay's Charles Hockin (57.63) comprised the rest of the final heat of the evening.

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