Reigning Champ Nathan Adrian Flirts With Disaster in Prelims Of 100 Freestyle

Welcome to the SwimVortex coverage of the 31st Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The team of Craig Lord and John Lohn will report live from the Rio Aquatics Centre, with the keen eye of Patrick B. Kraemer providing photographs. Action gets under way this afternoon with the Day Four preliminary heats – men’s 100 freestyle, women’s 200 butterfly, men’s 200 breaststroke and men’s 800 freestyle relay. Continue to visit this file (and hit the refresh button) for running updates from the pool.

The blue-ribbon event of the sport gets the afternoon started, American Nathan Adrian in search of a title defense of the crown he won in London. Meanwhile, Australian Cameron McEvoy, the fastest man in history in textile, is on the hunt for Australia’s first Olympic gold in the event in 48 years. The 200 breaststroke will also get under way, the United States’ Josh Prenot and Germany’s Marco Koch the favorites over reigning Olympic champ Daniel Gyurta of Hungary.

Positioning will also be sought in the 800 freestyle relay, the United States victorious at the past three Games and the overwhelming choice to make it four in a row. On the female side, Katinka Hosszu scratched the 200 fly, opting to conserve energy for the rest of her program. The Hungarian has already won gold in the 400 individual medley and 100 backstroke, a title in the 200 individual medley expected in the evening, and the 200 backstroke ahead.

Day Four Heats … On Your Marks…

Katinka Hosszu Drops 200 Butterfly; Mireia Belmonte (2:06.64) Tops Qualifying

The biggest news out of the prelims of the 200 butterfly wasn’t what unfolded in the water, but who wasn’t behind the blocks before the third of four heats. Coming off a gold medal in …

continue reading in source www.swimvortex.com