Hickman, Parry Lead the Way on Day Four of British Trials

SHEFFIELD, England. July 28. Veterans James Hickman and Steve Parry turned in world-class performances on the fourth day of the British Olympic Trials in Sheffield, with Hickman qualifying for the British Olympic Team in two events.

Hickman won the men's 200 meter individual medley in 2:03.85, after engaging in a tough race with Michael Cole, who was a close second at 2:04.00. Hickman, a flyer, took the lead at the start, and turned 1.6 seconds ahead of Cole, mired in fifth place, at the 100 meter mark. But Cole had a strong breaststroke leg, and turned first, three-tenths of a second ahead of Hickman, at the final turn. Going to his kick, Hickman overtook his rival in the final 10 meters to ice the win.

The men's 200 fly saw Hickman in another heated battle, this time with James Parry. Through 150 meters, Hickman maintained a narrow lead on Parry, who stayed right at his shoulders all the way, while a determined Robert Greenwood hung on about a body length back. But Greenwood fell away on the final lap as both Parry and Hickman went to their kicks, Parry winning in 1:57.13 to Hickman's 1:57.46. Greenwood faded to 2:00.67.

The women's 200 meter individual medley saw Sue Rolph lead from start to finish, as she recorded an excellent 2:14.90. Kathryn Evans was a solid second in 2:16.26.

Karen Legg, the fastest semi-finalists, held her number one position in winning the 200 meter freestyle. Taking the lead after the first turn, Legg finished in 2:00.45, just ahead of Karen Pickering in 2:00.67.

Semi-final action featured the emergence of two clear favorites in three of the four events, with the final event being an anyone-can-win-it situation.

In the women's 200 fly, Georgina Lee leads the pack at 2:12.09, closely followed by Margaretha Pedder at 2:12.76. No other swimmer cracked 2:16.

The women's 200 back shows a similar, if somewhat tighter, scenario, with Helen Don-Duncan at 2:11.73 and Joanna Fargas at 2:12.55. No one else was under 2:14.

The men's 200 breast has Ian Edmond the surprise leader in 2:16.41, precisley two seconds faster than pre-meet favorite Adam Whitehead. The two were the only swimmers to post sub-2:20 performances.

In the men's 100 free, Matthew Kidd emerged from the semis with the fastest time 50.37, but all eight finaliswts are under 51 seconds.

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