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SHANGHAI, China, July 31. FOR the fourth consecutive world championship, Great Britain's Liam Tancock found the podium in the men's 50 back at the FINA World Long Course Championships.
Back-to-back bronze winner in 2005 and 2007, Tancock has stepped his game up the last two iterations of the event by defending his 2009 title to give him gold in 2009 and 2011. Tancock clocked a time of 24.50 for the victory this evening.
"It is amazing to be part of the British team" Tancock said. "The 2009 meet was my first time to attend the world championship. It was amazing standing on the podium and waving to the crowd. Two years later, I'm back. It is incredible to listen to our national anthem. I really appreciate my family's support. Next year, the Olympics will be in my home country. The pool looks special, and I can't wait to compete in it."
France's Camille Lacourt finished second with a 24.57, well off his textile best of 24.07 from August 2010. He is the first Frenchman to medal in the event's history since FINA first began offering it as a medal event in 2001.
"I'm not happy with the result," Lacourt said. "That was a good chance for me to grab a gold. I will work hard to prepare for next year's Olympics."
South Africa's Gerhard Zandberg completed the podium with a bronze-winning 24.66 to defend his 2009 bronze medal outing. Zandberg now has three bronzes in the event, 2009 and 2011 to go along with the bronze from 2003.
Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer (24.82), USA's David Plummer (24.92), USA's Nick Thoman (25.01), Israel's Guy Barnea (25.01) and Switzerland's Flori Lang (25.15) also vied for the title.
