Hansen Named USA Today’s U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week

PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 9. AFTER a scintillating week of performances at the 2006 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships last week that featured a pair of world-record outings, Brendan Hansen garnered USA Today’s U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week honor.

The reigning world champion in the 100 and 200 breast events, Hansen has left no doubt that he’s the premier breaststroker on the planet, competing at a level that once seemed unfathomable. Hansen took the race out quickly, splitting 28.87 at the 50-meter mark and 1:01.58 at the midpoint of the race. He remained ahead of record pace when he touched in 1:34.84 at the 150 and powered home with the help of a boisterous crowd.

“The 200 is my baby,” Hansen said. “It’s my favorite event. After the 100 earlier in the week, I knew my 200 would be quick. I wanted to chip away at it, but after my warmup and prelim this morning, I knew that kind of time was a possibility. I think I have more in the tank. A 2:07 isn’t far away.”

Meanwhile, Hansen shattered his own world record in the 100-meter breaststroke with a spectacular 59.13. Hansen went out in .27 seconds under world-record pace with a 27.66 to get the entire crowd behind him as the excitement built throughout his race.

"I wanted the opportunity, just give me a lane and give me a chance," Hansen said. "This whole summer has been real special for me so far. It was just a matter of me putting all the little things together and just having a good race."

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