The Week That Was: FINA Speaks, An NCAA Streak Continues, And Fast Swimming In Europe

Gian Mattia D'Alberto / lapresse 15-06-2014 Roma sport nuoto trofeo Settecolli nella foto: Marco Koch GER Gian Mattia D'Alberto / lapresse 15-06-2014 Rome in the photo: Marco Koch GER

Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse

This week saw decisions from FINA, the continuation of an NCAA winning streak, and some fast long course racing across Europe. Read below to read of some of the top stories to catch up on The Week That Was!

The Week That was is supported by AgonSwim.com

The Week That Was #5 – FINA Suspends Mexican Swimming Federation, Names 2021 And 2023 Hosts For World Championships

Photo Courtesy: Qatar Swimming

FINA, the international governing body of swimming, released two statements this week. First, it was announced that the Mexican Swimming Federation would receive a temporary suspension from the organization. This is following Mexico’s decision to drop out of hosting duties for the 2017 World Championships last February, citing the high financial costs. It is unclear what stipulations the suspension would have for Mexican swimming. In related news, FINA also announced the host cities for the 2021 and 2023 World Championships. Fukuoka, Japan will host the 2021 Championships, while Doha, Qatar will host the 2023 Championships. Fukuoka hosted the 2001 World Championships, while Doha hosted the 2014 World Short Course Championships.

The Week That Was #4 – James Magnussen Added To Australian Team For Aquatic Super Series

Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch

Australian Olympian and World Champion James Magnussen was placed on the Aquatic Super Series Team for Australia this week. This is great news for Magnussen, who made a successful comeback from shoulder surgery last week with victories in the 50 and 100 freestyle at the Victoria State Championships. His addition to the National Team by National Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren will give him a chance to race next week against the best from China and Japan. Speaking of his addition to the team and the status of his shoulder, Magnussen commented, “It actually came through with flying colours in what was definitely a big first step up and now I’m facing another test (in Perth) and it will be great to get some international race experience right off the bat before I race the NSW Championships in March and then the Olympic Trials (in Adelaide in April) before the Olympics.” Magnussen has not competed internationally since the Pan Pacific Games in 2014 and will be looking for his second Olympic berth later this spring.

The Week That Was #3 – Georgia Bulldog Women Post 100th Straight Home Victory

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The top ranked Lady Bulldogs hosted the No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers this weekend and came away with their 100th straight dual meet victory at home. Speaking of the accomplishment in a post-meet press release, Head Coach Jack Bauerle remarked “I feel like I’ve seen part of my life flash before my eyes. It’s a little bit a feeling of relief, but mostly appreciation. It’s a big point of pride for our program and for Georgia athletics.” This is another highlight of what is turning into a tremendous season for the Lady Bulldogs, who now sit 9-0 for the 2015-2016 season. Georgia finished second at NCAA’s last year, but appear poised to take home the team title this year. Georgia will next be in the water on February 16th, when they compete in the SEC Championships.

The Week That Was #2 – Sarah Sjostrom Captures Six Victories In Two-Day Meet

Photo Courtesy: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom, fresh off U.S. Open records in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle down in Austin last week, cleaned up with six victories over the course of a two-day Swedish Grand Prix meet. All of Sjostrom’s victories came in the 50 and 100 distances across butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle events. As expected, Sjostrom dominated both butterfly events, posting a sizzling 25.24 in the 50 and a 57.13 in the 100. Her 100 time is not too far off the U.S. Open Record of 56.38 from earlier in January, while her 50 butterfly time could have won the 50 freestyle event. Sjostrom did end up winning the 50 free in 24.64 in addition to posting a 54.27 in the 100 free. Her final two wins came in the backstroke events, where she clipped her Swedish record in the 50 backstroke with a 28.21. She touched in 1:01.05 to take the 100. Sjostrom has been very fast so far this year, and will looking to carry the momentum of her stellar 2015 (where she was Swimming World’s European Swimmer Of The Year) into the Olympics this summer.

The Week That Was #1 – Luxembourg Euro Meet Sees Two January All-Time Bests

Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse

The 2016 Luxembourg Euro Meet saw two all-time January bests from German Marco Koch and Hungarian Laszlo Cseh. Koch was the first swimmer to post an all-time January best, hitting the wall in 2:07.69 to record the 14th fastest 200 breaststroke of all time. That time crushed the 2:09.31 that he posted last weekend in France that was, at that time, the January all-time best and also broke his own meet record of 2:09.61. The next day, Cseh posted the fastest 100 butterfly ever recorded in January. Cseh threw down a 51.40 to take over the world #1 spot for this year and eclipse his own meet record of 52.57 from last year. These are both statement swims for two Europeans who had amazing 2015’s and are clearly looking to hold onto their success on the road to Rio in 2016.

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