By John Lohn
BEIJING, China, August 13. IF China is going to capture a gold medal in swimming action, the women's 200 butterfly might be where it happens. Heading into the championship final of the event, the Chinese occupy the first and third positions, with the pre-meet favorite holding down the second position.
Liu Zige, who had the top time of the preliminary round, again topped the field in the semifinals, producing a time of 2:06.25 for an Asian record. Meanwhile, her teammate Jiao Liuyang was third-fastest during the morning session behind a time of 2:06.42. In the middle sits reigning world champ and world-record holder Jessicah Schipper. The Australian was timed in 2:06.34.
Schipper is probably still the favorite for the gold medal. The bronze medalist in the 100 butterfly earlier in the meet, she knows how to answer under pressure and that scenario could prove beneficial with a podium spot on the line. Schipper holds the world record of 2:05.40 and the Chinese women will likely have a tough time pushing that mark.
Poland's Otylia Jedrzejczak, the defending Olympic champion, can't be counted out of the medal picture. Jedrzejczak posted the fourth-fastest time of the semifinals, going 2:06.78. Also dipping under 2:07 were Japan's Yuko Nakanishi and American Kathleen Hersey, who tied in 2:06.96. The field for the final will also include France's Aurore Mongel (2:07.21) and the United States' Elaine Breeden (2:07.73).
