Thiago Pereira Staying Away From 400 IM At World Championships

Photo Courtesy: Joao Marc Bosch

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Brazil’s Thiago Pereira is sitting out the 400 individual medley at the FINA world championships, citing his advanced age as the primary reason why he’s skipping the race.

“Like Ryan, we’re getting too old for that!” Pereira told Swimming World, noting that Ryan Lochte is another former 400 IM star choosing to stay away from one of the most grueling events on the swimming schedule. Pereira is 29 years old, while Lochte just turned 31.

Pereira has had much success in the 400 IM in the past three years. He was the silver medalist in the event at the 2012 Olympics and won bronze at the 2013 world championships.

He didn’t swim the event at the 2014 Pan Pacific championships, and was on track to swim a strong time – and win gold – at the Pan American Games last month before drawing a disqualification.

Pereira leaves the meet with some hardware, having taken the silver medal in the 200 IM in a hard-fought race with Lochte. Though he’s swum at the world championships for about 10 years, Thursday’s medal marked only his third in long course world championship competition.

Pereira’s withdrawal means two athletes from the 2013 world final will not compete in tomorrow’s race. Kosuke Hagino of Japan is out with a broken elbow, and was fifth in 2013.

The 400 IM field is still stacked with enough talent, including defending champion Daiya Seto of Japan, who was in line to win medals in the 200 IM and 200 fly but has come up short so far in Kazan. Silver medalist Chase Kalisz of the United States will be the freshest athlete among the top athletes, as he has not yet raced in the meet. Teammate Tyler Clary will also be in the hunt, as will Commonwealth Games champion Daniel Wallace of Great Britain.

Start list, men’s 400 individual medley

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Swimming Winner

8 years ago

Nice :/