Brazilian Trials: Nick Albiero Cashes in on Switch with A Cut in 200 Fly

Nick Albiero; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Brazilian Trials: Nick Albiero Cashes in on Switch with A Cut in 200 Fly

Nick Albiero made the switch from his home country of the U.S. to represent Brazil in 2023 with an eye toward the Paris Olympics.

Wednesday night in Rio, he made good on that decision by earning an A cut in the men’s 200 butterfly. Albiero’s winning time of 1:55.52 got him under the automatic qualifying standard for the Paris Games, ensuring his first appearance on the Brazilian national team will be under the Olympic rings.

Albiero was born and raised in Louisville, where he was a standout in college. His father and college coach, Arthur Albiero, is Brazilian by birth and a dual citizen. That gave the NCAA champion in the 200 fly and former U.S. national teamer another avenue to reach the Olympics, which Nick cashed in on.

He outswam Leonardo de Deus, who finished second in an Olympic B cut of 1:56.24, and Luiz Altatmir Melo, who landed third in 1:58.43.

Albiero’s was the only A cut on Day 3 of the six-day trials meet. The nearest brush with a trip to Paris came in the men’s 100 backstroke, won by Guilherme Basseto in 54.14 seconds. That .13 off an Olympic consideration cut. He was ahead of some big names who also missed out on getting to the Games. Gabriel Fantoni was second in 54.39, with Pedro Henrique Motta third and Guilherme Guido fourth. The A cut in the 100 back is 53.74 seconds.

Guilherme “Kito” Camossato won the men’s 200 breaststroke in 2:12.20, edging out Caio Pumputis’ bid at a breaststroke double by .09 seconds.

On the women’s side, Maria Luiza Pessanha won the women’s 100 back in 1:01.66. Nathalia Almedia was the winner in the 200 individual medley in 2:13.81 ahead of Gabrielle Roncatto. All are shy of Olympic cuts.

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