Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Title holder Nathan Adrian and world champion Ning Zetao survived scares in Tuesday’s heats before the evening’s main event: Michael Phelps and his bid for Olympic golds number 20 and 21.
Adrian, who anchored the American 4x100m freestyle relay team to gold at the weekend, squeaked through in 48.58 in the individual 100m heats — the 16th the final spot — behind Kyle Chalmers of Australia, posting the quickest overall time of 47.90.
Chinese star Ning scraped in with a 48.57 but it was less than convincing from either man.
Australia’s Cameron McEvoy, tipped for gold in Rio after a breakout year, safely negotiated the heats to post the fourth fastest time of 48.12.
“Tonight’s going to be amazing,” he said, looking forward to the evening’s semi-finals. “It was pretty cut-throat there at the end.”
Unlike several of his more outspoken Aussie team mates, McEvoy kept his counsel on the doping row which has erupted among swimmers in Rio.
“I’ll stick to swimming,” said the world silver medallist, refusing to be drawn on whether erstwhile doping violators should be allowed to compete.
“I’m not very educated on this type of stuff in terms of the facts and the political stances. Everyone has their own opinion, but I’m going to just keep that to myself.”
Phelps has also weighed in on the issue, saying he was “heart-broken” at having to compete against swimmers who have previously tested positive after qualifying second fastest for Tuesday’s 200m butterfly final.
The American, who has held the world record since 2001, will bid to win back the title he lost to South African Chad le Clos in London four years ago. He could even add a 21st gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
– Verbal sparring –
Phelps, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, and le Clos have engaged in some verbal sparring since, adding spice to Tuesday’s final in which European champion Laszlo Cseh could also have say after so often being the bridesmaid in past Games.
“I think the power is in myself,” said the Hungarian enigmatically, looking to spring a shock.
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu pulled out of the women’s 200m butterfly to concentrate on completing the individual medley double later Tuesday — and a potential crack at another world record.
The “Iron Lady” produced a stunning world best to win the 400m medley and backed that up with 100m backstroke gold on Monday. And she could still go in the 200m backstroke later in the week.
Spanish short-course specialist Mireia Belmonte topped the time-sheets with a 2:06.64, followed by Americans Cammile Adams and Hali Flickinger, who both touched in a time of 2:06.67.
There was a surprise in the men’s 200m breaststroke heats when defending champion Daniel Gyurta failed to advance to the semi-finals.
Ryan Lochte, looking to win an unprecedented fourth gold medal in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, brought the Americans home in 7:06.74 in the heats as they look to win the event for the fifth time at the last six Olympics.
Britain out-qualified them, however, posting a 7:06.31 with Russia, who have been jeered and heckled at the pool this week over the doping scandal that threatened a blanket ban of Russian athletes competing in Rio, third fastest.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.