PARIS, France, August 4. THE third night of the Paris Open centered around a bulk of semifinal and final rounds of the sprint events as top times kept going up on the scoreboard in Paris, France.
European correspondent Steven Selthoffer is at the meet. His notes and quotes are in italics.
Randall Bal, USA, Aaron Peirsol, USA, Jason Lezak, USA, Morning Interview
Sitting in the sun for maximum rays, and strategically positioned next to the Swedish national team, Swimming World Magazine talked with Aaron Peirsol, USA, Randall Bal, USA, and Jason Lezak, USA, poolside at the warm-up pool during the morning prelims. Commentating on his 200 Back the previous night, Peirsol added, "I've got to get the 200 out of my system from last night. In the 100 there are 21 people in the event. After this meet, I plan to lay low. I won't touch the pool. I'll sit down and have a talk (with Eddie) to map out the rest of the year."
New American record holder in the 50m Back, Randall Bal, USA, sitting in the white deck chair on the left, pulling down his dark blue sweat shirt hood, lifted off his sunglasses, "The (American) record in the 50 was nice. I've got to build on that momentum. There are some things I still have to work on." "Like swimming straight?" added Peirsol. "You were all over the lane (for the whole event)," moving his hand, waving like a fish. (Laughter) Bal continued, wanting to be serious about the interview and his American record, "I'm not rested and you…" "You haven't rested all yeeeaaaarrrrr!" Lezak stated, cutting into the conversation, stopping Bal in mid sentence. (More laughter) Philosophically, Peirsol said, while sitting, facing the sun for maximum PTP (Peak Tanning Position based on the sun's exact atmospheric latitudinal position in the sky over the adjacent warm-up pool) Peirsol continued speaking, opening and gesturing with both hands for emphasis…"You reach a point where you just want to travel, have some fun, and just get something out of the sport." "You mean like going to Club 520 last night?" Lezak said, raising his eyebrows and the pitch of his voice. (Club 520 apparently is a trendy Paris night club for the Euro chic) Peirsol, not to be outdone in this scientific debate, "Yeah, we ought to call it Club Lezak." "Hey, it's pretty cool. We don't have any coaches around here. Half our team coaches ourselves anyway," added Lezak, to the laughter of Bal and Peirsol. The friendly banter continued…
Commentating on the competition… Peirsol said, looking around as the Swedes, French and others were quickly filing by to go up for their heats, "Hey, these guys are getting serious. It's time to go up for your event." Because of the bright sunshine at poolside, "Should I swim with my sunglasses on instead of my goggles?" added Lezak in a hurry, rummaging through his backpack looking for his goggles… "I'm afraid I'll miss my event." Ignoring the stress, "Re-lax," added Dr. Peirsol, emphasizing each individual syllable, calmly returning his concentration poolside, back to professionally adjusting his sunglasses and seat position for maximum sun… Lezak left, off to the office for a day of work. The fun and sun gave no clue of what was to come later in the day…
Duje Draganja, CRO
Athen's Olympic silver medalist in the 50m freestyle, Duje Draganja, CRO, coming out of the water after prelims earlier in the day, "I've just had back surgery. I'm still hurting, but, I'll be OK." Sources say, Draganja has been suffering from more back pain and health problems than he has let others know. With such a short time after surgery, others are pleased with his results despite falling short temporarily on some of his own personal goals. Draganja able to stay with the field in both the 50 and 100 free in such difficult pain and still adjusting from the operation will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming months and in Beijing.
The Ukrainian Connection
Donny Brush, Assistant Coach, Indiana University, was in attendance at poolside with Ukrainian protege, Sergiy Fesenko swimming the 1500 free. "He (Sergiy) thrives off competition. We'll get a good 1500 here. Team Ukraine is behind us. We get a lot of support from them. We're really enjoying Paris. It's a phenomenal meet."
"I like to watch the breastroke finals, especially the women. There are new techniques in Europe we can learn a lot about and from them. The way they are breathing compared with the body position of the Americans." Looking across the pool, "Mike Bottom is over here. I'd like to spend some time with him. You can learn a lot from him. It's a good time to be over here. So many different nationalities."
Brush, a strategic thinker, whose good natured humor belies his keen sense of knowledge of stroke technique and applied science, has a solid track record in developing world class talent, and is planning to bring out the best in Fesenko for Beijing, "We have a separate plan for Sergiy, (from the rest of the IU team.) We have a meet next February, then we'll rest and taper straight through to Beijing. He is unique and makes the right adjustments with how he is feeling. It's a collaborative effort, combining what our guts tell us, and what he tells us about how he feels. Sergiy works hard. He is a consummate professional. He is there to train and work. In the Ukraine, they are very, very, professional. They (Ukrainian swimmers and coaching staff) know how to work hard."
Women's 50 backstroke semifinals
France's Laure Manaudou earned lane four with a time of 28.71, while Ukraine's Iryna Amshennikova finished second in 29.03. Russia's Anastasia Zueva (29.14) and Spain's Nina Zhivanevskaya (29.18) took third and fourth, respectively, while Germany's Janine Pietsch (29.28), Hungary's Nikolett Szepesi (29.34), Canada's Julia Wilkinson (29.40) and Croatia's Sanja Jovanovic (29.43) will make up the rest of the finalists later tonight.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 50 breaststroke semifinals
Israel's Michael Malul and Ukraine's Valeriy Dymo threw down the gauntlet in the second semifinal with matching times of 27.85 to earn the center lanes in the final.
Italy's Alessandro Terrin won the first semi with a time of 27.97 for third place, while Russia's Grigory Falko finished fourth in 28.00.
Slovenia's Matiaz Markic (28.10), world-record holder Oleg Lisogor from Ukraine (28.14) and Great Britain's James Gibson (28.23) and Chris Cook (28.24) will round out the championship heat.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Women's 100 breaststroke semifinals
Semifinal two owned the round with the top three finishers. Austria's Mirna Jukic clocked a 1:09.16 to claim the top seed, while Ukraine's Yuliya Pidlisna (1:09.52) and Russia's Elena Bogomazova (1:09.72) finished second and third out of the second semi.
Semifinal one comprised the rest of the qualifiers as Hungary's Agnes Kovacs (1:10.03), Russia's Vitalina Simonova (1:10.04), Poland's Beata Kaminska (1:10.25), the United States' Amanda Beard (1:10.26) and Germany's Sarah Poewe (1:10.45) will also vie for the championship crown.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 100 backstroke semifinals
World-record holder Aaron Peirsol coasted into finals with the top time of 54.64. Germany's Helge Meeuw (55.11) and Russia's Arkady Vyatchanin (55.19) will bracket him after taking second and third in semis, while Austria's Markus Rogan (55.26) and the United States' Randall Ball (55.51) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Israel's Guy Barnea (55.89), Hungary's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber (56.06) and Russia's Stanislav Donets (56.62) round out the rest of the championship heat.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Women's 400 freestyle finals
Italy's Federica Pellegrini and Poland's Otylia Jedrzejczak put on a show as the pair battled throughout the 400-meter event. The distance, however, was not enough to separate the two as they tied with matching 4:05.20 times.
Jedrzejczak is already the third-fastest in the world with a 4:04.23 set in 2007 at the World Championships, however, Pellegrini improved her previous personal best of 4:05.79 set in Melbourne as well.
Great Britain's Joanne Jackson wound up placing third in 4:07.24.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 100 freestyle semifinals
Sweden's Stefan Nystrand paced semis with a time of 48.81, while Canada's Brent Hayden finished second in 48.95.
France's Alain Bernard (49.05), Russia's Andrey Grechin (49.27), France's Fabien Gilot (49.38), Ukraine's Yuriy Yegoshin (49.58), Russia's Evgeny Lagunov (49.65) and Sweden's Petter Stymne (49.75) will join them in the final heat.
In the men's 100 free the second semi-final erupted into controversy with the disqualification of Jason Lezak, USA, after swimming the men's 100 freestyle in the second semifinal.
As all swimmers mounted the blocks, Lezak left with the rest of the field. Not having a brilliant reaction time, according to sources, his underwater kicks and pull out breaching the surface, placed him in first for the first 25 meters. At the wall he was with Alain Bernard, FRA, out in 23.36, Andrey Grechin, FRA, in 23.81 followed by Lezak (a 23-plus split time now erased on the official Total Ranking List). Alain Bernard, FRA, touched first in 49.05 followed by Andrey Grechin, FRA, in 49.27 with Lezak third, on cruise control, saving his best for the finals tomorrow. Lezak enjoyed the moment, pleased with his efforts, hanging on the rope, resting in the water with the rest of the field. After a few moments the scoreboard read Lezak USA DSQ. The crowd was shocked. Mumbling and murmuring arose in the media area. No one felt comfortable with the disqualification. No one could see anything.
Lezak returning to the the warm-up pool was visibly upset along with a host of other French, Swedish swimmers and coaches. No one knew why. No one was given an explanation.
Lezak, standing in his bathing suit as a friend came up, saying "It will cost you 65 Euros to file a protest. You only have a few minutes to do it." More European friends gathered around Lezak as he explained the situation to Mike Bottom as Canadian coaches looked on. A handful of press TV cameras assembled in a scrum directly behind the fence as Lezak explained the situation and as he was taking advice from friends.
It was decided to go directly to the official who spoke English. Her name was Andrea Thielenhaus, GER, LEN, TSC, official according to media sources. Lezak asked why he was disqualified and how to file a protest. Thielenhaus explained, "The referee said, ‘You are disqualified. That is it." Other officials gathered around. Lezak replied, "You mean that's it? No explanation. No reason?" Lezak was willing to accept a sound reason for the disqualification and move on, but, none was given, making the situation more tenuous. Thielenhaus explained, "If you want to, you can file a protest, pay the 65 euros, but, that is it. The referee will say you are disqualified. And you will lose your 65 Euros." "You mean it's not worth it, even filing a protest? I don't get to know what I did wrong? Not even now?" Lezak said pleading. Thielenhaus, "He will say you are disqualified. That's it." At which point, others tried to ask for an explanation of why, saying that they must describe why he was disqualified. Lezak went through every moment in his memory verbally with Thielenhaus, trying to find anything to legitimize the moment, the disqualification and walk away knowing he was rightly disqualified, but no sound explanation was given. None whatsoever. No direct application of the rule book was stated or applied. Only the certainty of Lezak losing his protest and 65 Euros.
Lezak walked away with no explanation of why he was disqualified, told he would lose his 65 Euros, and that the referee would say, "You are disqualified." Giving no explanation. Lezak, wanting to learn from his mistakes, asked to see the video, but, Thielenhaus explained that video is not permitted by FINA. Lezak then was asked to leave the area.
Later, it was difficult to find the responsible official after the events concluded as they filed out in formation into the crowd and sidewalk. Then making an effort to double-check with other available officials remaining, who were sitting within a few meters of the entire episode, after the conclusion of the evening's events, one official said, (who asked to remain anonymous and confirmed by another official sitting nearby)… "She is the referee for the men's events."
They were surprised at the whole incident and could not explain why he was disqualified.
Later, Georges Kiehl, FRA, Liaison Presse LEN, walking near the media center, graciously offered his assistance, and said that he found out the reason why Lezak was disqualified. He said, the official said, "He moved before the start." That was the first explanation of any kind, unofficially given to the LEN Press Liaison officer; more than 45 minutes later after the event.
Lezak only wanted to know what he did wrong and accept the call, but, believes he did not move.
Confusion is still reigning over the explanation, the official(s) who made the call, the direct line of reporting the violation, the first non-explanation given during Lezak's questioning, the certain failure of the protest if filed, then the unofficial press explanation, and Thielenhaus.
Lezak, at 31 years old, is comfortable with FINA rules, and mechanical in his approach to the start and event. He has never had a controversy regarding his start nor has he ever been disqualified because of his start. Lezak asked for a FINA rule book for the rules governing the protest process and was denied, (they did not have one, or it was not available from the woman explaining his disqualification.) He also was not offered a rule book to point out the rule violation.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Women's 100 butterfly semifinals
The United States' Margaret Hoelzer registered the quickest time of the semifinal round with a 59.12, while Russia's Natalia Sutyagina (59.39) and France's Alena Popchanka (59.46) took second and third.
Hungary's Evelyn Verraszto (59.59), Israel's Anna Gostomelsky (59.64) and Germany's Janine Pietsch (59.73) placed fourth through sixth, while Portugal's Sara Oliveira (59.79) and Russia's Irina Bespalova (59.82) grabbed the final transfer spots to finals.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 200 butterfly finals
Ukraine's Denis Sylant'yev nearly equaled his best time of 1:55.42 set in 2002 with a winning effort of 1:55.48. Poland's Pawel Korzeniowsi pushed him the whole way with a second-place performance of 1:55.98, a second off his best of 1:55.02 set in 2005.
Russia's Nikolay Skvortsov claimed third place in 1:56.18, ahead of Japan's Hidemasa Sano's fourth-place readout of 1:57.10.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Women's 50 backstroke Finals
France's Laure Manaudou missed the world record held by the United States' Leila Vaziri (28.16) when she touched in 28.50, but still posted a top 10 time this year.
European-record holder Janine Pietsch of Germany came in second with a time of 28.60, while Ukraine's Iryna Amshennikova placed third in 28.73 just ahead of Russia's Anastasia Zueva (28.81).
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 50 breaststroke finals
World-record holder Oleg Lisogor of Ukraine claimed the men's 50 breast crown with a time of 27.62.
Italy's Alessandro Terrin finished second in 27.84, while Israel's Michael Malul and Russia's Grigory Falko tied for third with matching 27.94s.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Valeriy Dymo wound up fifth in 27.96.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Men's 1500 freestyle finals
European-record holder Mateusz Sawrymowicz of Poland claimed the metric mile title in 14:56.47, while Canada's Ryan Cochrane provided the biggest competition with a second-place time of 14:59.02.
Cochrane became the first Canadian under 15:00 with that effort as he demolished his previous Canadian record of 15:08.25 set earlier this year at the Bell Grand Prix.
Italy's Federico Colbertaldo rounded out the top three in 15:03.61. Hungary's Gergo Kis, who competed in the slower heat, took fourth in 15:17.25, while Ukraine's Sergiy Fesenko placed fifth in 15:17.68.
Click here to view event results PDF file.
Women's 400 freestyle relay finals
France's Malia Metella, Celine Couderc, Mylene Lazare and Alena Popchanka won in 3:39.24, while Germany's Britta Steffen, Annika Lurz, Petra Dallman and Meike Freitag finished second in 3:39.53.
Canada's Julia Wilkinson, Erica Morningstar, Victoria Poon and Genevieve Saumur grabbed third in 3:41.07.
Click here to view event results PDF file.