Streamlined News

PHOENIX, Arizona, August 31. THE second day of finals at the Jose Finkel Trophy meet in Rio de Janeiro produced some wins by the country’s top swimming stars and a few who could be well-known by the time Brazil hosts the Olympics in 2016.

Cesar Cielo went under 22 seconds in the 50 free with a 21.97, about four tenths slower than he swam at worlds. Inge Dekker of the Netherlands also won the 50 free easily in 25.36. Thiago Pereira cruised through the final of the 400 IM, winning with a 4:24.61. Pereira scratched from the 400 IM at the world championships, but is set to swim it in October at the Pan American Games. Mireia Belmonte of Spain was about 17 seconds off her best time of the season in the 400 IM, but won the race anyway with a 4:51.63.

Felipe Silva and Felipe Lima are the two men primed to swim the 100 breast for Brazil at the Olympics, but Joao Gomes is trying to wedge his way into one of those spots. In the prelims last night, Gomes swam a 1:00.47, which is a few hundredths slower than Lima’s fastest this year and keeps Gomes in the third-fastest slot in the event for Brazil. Gomes could only muster a 1:01.90 in semifinals today, with Lima the top seed for finals with a 1:01.60. Silva will be the third seed with a 1:02.01 in semis.

Missy Franklin and Mallory Weggemann have been nominated for the Women’s Sports Foundation Female Athlete of the Year award. The award recognizes athletes who have made amazing accomplishments between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011. Both swimmers had phenomenal seasons in the pool. Franklin won five medals at her first world championships, including three gold, and Weggemann is being honored for her nine world records at the IPC world championships last year, which resulted in eight gold medals. These two ladies join eight others from individual sports such as gymnastics, golf and speed skating for the prestigious honor. Annika Dries is being honored as part of the team sports category, having helped Stanford win the NCAA water polo title, and scored the most goals for the USA as they cruised to the World League Super Final championships. To place a vote, go to the Women’s Sports Foundation page on Facebook, like the page and browse through the nominees.

And finally today, we want to congratulate Roger Allsopp for becoming the oldest man to cross the English Channel at 70 years and four months old. The Englishman swam from England to France in 17 hours and 51 minutes to take the record from American George Brunstad, who was 70 years and four days old when he crossed the Channel in 2004. Allsopp, a retired surgeon, said he was inspired to attempt the swim when he saw a plaque honoring Brunstad’s achievement in a pub in Dover, England.

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