With Olympic Trials in full swing across many nations the swimming community is getting a much clearer sense of what to expect this summer in Rio. There were fast performances around the world that shook up the world rankings, so make sure to catch up on everything from The Week That Was!
The Week That Was #5 – WADA Revokes Russian Anti Doping Center License
Earlier this week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) pulled the certification of the Anti Doping Center in Moscow, Russia. WADA had suspended the laboratory back in November 2015, and this follow-up action acknowledges the lack of control that the lab has had in curbing Russian doping. This comes after a stream of doping violation coming from Russian athletes, including a positive test for meldonium from breaststroke star Yuliya Efimova that has the potential to end her competitive career. Efimova had previously served a 16-month ban for steroid use back in 2014. According to the WADA press release, the decision to pull the certification of the Anti Doping Center in Moscow came after an extensive review of the lab and the determination that it is non-compliant with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
The Week That Was #4 – South African Olympic Trials
Photo Courtesy: Anesh Debiky/Swimming South Africa
South Africa held their Olympic Trials this week, showing a glimpse of what to expect from some of their superstars in Rio this summer. All eyes were on defending Chad le Clos, who will be the defending gold medalist in the 200 butterfly this summer. Le Clos won the 100 (51.82) and 200 butterfly (1:55.04) to clinch his Olympic berths. Those times were good for sixth and third in the world respectively this year. Le Clos also qualified in the 200 freestyle (1:47.75). Cameron van der Burgh, the other defending gold medalist from South Africa, also punched his ticket to Rio with a 59.66. That is right on his second ranked time of 59.61 from earlier this year. Notably, Roland Schoeman missed qualifying for his fifth Olympic Games after finishing third in the 50 freestyle in 22.75. Brad Tandy won the event in 22.13. After the seven day meet, there were eleven South African men who met the A qualifying time for Rio, while the South African women failed to meet a single A standard.
For complete coverage of the meet, head over to our Event Landing Page.
The Week That Was #3 – Mesa Grand Prix Serves As Tune-Up For U.S. Stars
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
This week saw U.S. stars from across the country converge in Mesa, Arizona for one of the last stops of the Arena Pro Swim Series this year, with remaining stops in Charlotte, Santa Clara, and Indy still on the event calendar. Dana Vollmer came to the meet with her fullest schedule since her comeback, competing in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyles along with the 100 butterfly. The 100 butterfly was the highlight for the comeback mom, where she touched in 56.94. That is the fastest time posted by an American since 2012. Vollmer also posted a personal best of 24.69 in the 50 freestyle to finish second and a 54.54 in the 100 freestyle to grab third. Other notable swims came from Katie Meili, who moved to 6th in the world in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.49), and Michael Phelps, who moved to 3rd in the world in the 200 IM (1:57.90).
Madison Kennedy set a PR and American textile best in the 50 freestyle (24.44), while Nathan Adrian took both the 50 (21.69) and 100 free (48.00). Katie Ledecky was impressive as always throughout the meet, winning the 200 freestyle (1:55.71), 400 freestyle (4:02.15), and the 800 free (8:13.20). Ledecky stated in post-race interviews that she is ready to throw down some fast times this summer, remarking that she is still putting in the hard work now and had very little rest before the meet.
For complete coverage of all events, including results and interviews, head over to our Event Landing Page.
The Week That Was #2 – Tough Qualifying Standards Highlight British Trials
Photo Courtesy: gianmattiadalberto/lapresse
Similar to the French Olympic Trials a few weeks prior, the main focus of the British Olympic Trials was not so much who qualified for the meet, but who didn’t. The qualifying times for the British team in many events were well under the FINA A cut in most events, meaning several events will go without British representation in Rio. Having said that, there were several athletes who were able to squeak by the qualifying standard and punch their ticket to Rio.
James Guy punched the first British ticket to Rio, winning the 400 freestyle in 3:43.84 to get under the qualifying time. Guy later posted the top-ranked time in the world in the 200 free (1:45.19), scaring the British record. Hannah Miley was the first female to qualify for the Rio Olympics, touching first in the 400 IM in 4:33.40. Chloe Tutton also moved to fourth in the women’s 200 breaststroke, touching first in 2:22.34 to break the British record and qualify for Rio. Andrew Willis just got past the ultra-fast qualifying standard of 2:08.52 in the 200 breaststroke to take the win in 2:08.08. After missing in the 800 free early in the meet, Jazmin Carlin punched her ticket to Rio in the 400 free, posting the 4th fastest time in the world (4:04.33) to just get under the British standard.
Adam Peaty was the highlight of the meet, touching in 58.41 to post the world’s fastest time in the world in the 100 breaststroke that was just off of his world record. In his post-race interview, Peaty stated he aims to be sub 57.9 this summer. Other notable swims include Ben Proud’s British record in the 50 free (21.65), and Siobhan Marie-O’Connor in the 200 IM (2:09.66).
To read all the updates from the British Olympic Trials, head over to our Event Landing Page.
The Week That Was #1 – Australian Trials Wrap Up With World, Textile Bests
Photo Courtesy: Steve Christo/Swimming Australia
This week saw the conclusion of the Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide, and the final days of competition provided no shortage of excitement for spectators. Cameron McEvoy made some noise en route to claiming his spot in the 100 freestyle, clocking a textile best of 47.04 to become the fastest man outside of the shiny suit era and the fastest man in Australian history. James Magnussen previously held the Commonwealth and textile record with a 47.10 from the 2012 Trials 4 years ago. Notably, Magnussen (who is coming off of shoulder surgery) finished fourth in this race in 48.68 which will leave him with only relay duty this time around in Rio. McEvoy also finished first in the 50 free in a personal best of 21.44, and became the first Australian man to sweep the 50-100-200 at Olympic Trials.
Other notable qualifiers included Belinda Hocking and Emily Seebohm in the 200 backstroke, who finished in 2:06.49 and 2:06.59 respectively, Mitch Larkin in the 200 backstroke (1:53.90), Taylor McKeown in the 200 breast (2:21.45), and Jessica Ashwood, who just missed her Australian record in the 800 freestyle by one-hundredth of a second. Sprint superstar Cate Campbell posted two world leading times in the 50 and 100 freestyle, first by hitting the wall in 52.38 in the 100 freestyle to take 3-hundredths off her previous top time. She then clocked a 23.84 to post the fastest textile performance of all time while also breaking Libby Trickett’s Commonwealth record in the event. Campbell’s time was only .11 away from Britta Steffen’s world record. Campbell’s younger sister, Bronte, also qualified for Rio in the 50 and 100 after hitting the wall in 24.24 and 52.58.
To review all eight days of competition from the Australian Trials, head over to our Event Landing Page.