The Week That Was: Florian Wellbrock Claims a New Word Record

by Ashleigh Shay

26 December 2021, 06:30am

The Week That Was sponsored by Suitmate.

The Week that Was featured a new world record by Florian Wellbrock, success for Ryan Held, Lia Thomas, Alia Atkinson retiring, and Aussie newcomer Mollie O’Callaghan.

The Week That Was #1: Florian Wellbrock Takes Down 1500 Free World Record at Short Course Worlds

Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

by David Rieder

Germany’s Florian Wellbrock has become one of the best and most consistent distance swimmers in the world over the past four years, and he secured that status with a new world record in the 1500 freestyle on his way to his first short course world title. In the 1500 free final, Wellbrock raced against longtime rivals Mykhailo Romanchuk of Ukraine and Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy as well as young star Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia, the Olympic gold medalist in the 1500 free.

The Week That Was #2: Ryan Held Breaks Streak of Bad Timing With Individual World Championships Medal and Relay Gold

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

by David Rieder

Ever since the moment when Ryan Held won Olympic gold as part of the U.S. men’s 400 freestyle relay at the 2016 Olympics, his career has suffered from off swims at the worst possible moments. One year after combining with legends Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian and future legend Caeleb Dressel in a career-defining moment, he finished seventh in the 100 free at U.S. World Championship Trials, four hundredths off the team. In 2018, same story: eighth, and 0.15 off the team.

The Week That Was #3: Without NCAA Action, the Effects of Lia Thomas Situation Are Akin to Doping

by John Lohn

The advantages afforded Kornelia Ender were transformational. The benefits reaped by Kristin Otto made her a global superstar. The boost enjoyed by Michelle Smith took her from also-ran status to Olympic champion. It’s simple: Performance-enhancing substances have – at various points in history – altered the dynamic of the sport.

The Week That Was #4: Alia Atkinson Officially Calls Time on Distinguished Swimming Career

Photo Courtesy: Photo Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

by Matthew de George

Alia Atkinson has officially retired from swimming following the 2021 FINA Short Course World Championships, ending one of the most illustrious breaststroke careers of her era.

Atkinson, 33, made the announcement on Instagram. The Texas A&M grad (and athletics hall of famer) is a pioneering swimmer for the Caribbean and for Black swimmers in North America. She is the first Afro-Jamaican swimmer to win a world title in the pool.

The Week That Was #5: Aussie Mollie O’Callaghan Off To Flying Start On Paris Odyssey

by Ian Hanson

Queensland teenager Mollie O’Callaghan surfaced from Australia’s history-making Olympic campaign as one of the girls most likely to light up Paris in 2024.

At 17 and on her first Australian senior team, “Mollie O” helped lay the platform for a victorious relay assault from a hungry Dolphins pod.

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