The biennial swimming world championships begin tomorrow and for the first time in more than a decade Michael Phelps will not be competing.
Instead, the spotlight should fall on the likes of Sun Yang and Yi Shiwen of China, Chad le Clos of South Africa, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin of the US, and 16-year-old Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania.
“We will see how many stars come up, I have no doubt. Life goes on and on,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said.
The first week of the championships is highlighted by diving — with that spectacular view of the city from the same Montjuic pool used for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics — plus open water swimming in the harbor.
Swimming and synchronized swimming will be held inside the Palau Sant-Jordi arena, which was also built for the 1992 Games, while water polo will be contested outside in the nearby Bernat Picornell.
All of the venues are the same from the 2003 worlds which Barcelona hosted, except for temporary towers that have been built for the debut of high diving, with men set to leap from 27m and women from 20m.
“The facilities are excellent, each one with its merits, conditions, and history, and not only with an excellent history, they are facilities that have been updated so they are first rate,” FINA president Julio Maglione said.
Prize money spread across the six disciplines amounts to US$3.1 million and a record 2,293 athletes have entered.
The biggest crowds could come for high diving, which is free for fans, with organizers hoping that 25,000 to 30,000 spectators show up for the daring display which sees athletes fly through the air for three seconds at speeds of up to 90kph.
Still, the main swimming events should gain the most attention, especially with local standout Mireia Belmonte of Spain a multi-medal threat.
Phelps retired after last year’s London Olympics as the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 22 medals. He competed at his first worlds in 2001 in Fukuoka, Japan, breaking the world record in the 200m butterfly to become — at 15 years and 9 months — the youngest man ever to set a swimming world mark.
“For us, Phelps is an icon. He’s the greatest Olympic athlete of all time and I think it will be 100 years before someone matches his medals record,” Marculescu said.
So what about those reports that Phelps is considering returning for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics?
“It’s his decision, not ours. He worked very hard over the years and I think he wanted to do some other things in life. I hear he is playing golf, but I also think that maybe he is missing his love, which is swimming,” Marculescu said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely