Sullivan sizzles to new high
THE world’s fastest swimmer did it again last night, lowering
his world record for the 50 metres freestyle. Eamon Sullivan
stunned even himself with a “perfect” 21.28-second performance at
the Olympic trials at the Aquatic Centre at Homebush Bay.
Sullivan slashed 0.13s from the world mark he had set 24 hours
earlier. That time had carved 0.09s from the record Alain Bernard
set last weekend, and the Frenchman’s mark had taken 0.06s from the
world record Sullivan set six weeks ago.
Most coaches can find little areas where their athletes can
improve, not Grant Stoelwinder, Sullivan’s mentor.
“I think that’s perfect,” he said. “There’s nothing really I
could fault. I thought that was the perfect race. The whole way
through there was nothing I could pick that was wrong.”
While Sullivan is Superman in the water, when the swimming
stops, he’s more the mild-mannered Clark Kent type. But not last
night. He did all the standard celebratory moves, the fist pumping,
the sitting on the lane rope, and the flexing of muscles.
“I’m not usually an emotional swimmer,” he said. “Usually, when
I have goals in mind and I achieve them it’s more of a quiet
celebration inside my head. But it’s been four years leading into
this, and so much emotion and hard training sessions, it just all
came together and after such a great week, it all came out
tonight.
“I usually don’t flex because I don’t really have that many
muscles, but I had to give it a go tonight I was so excited.”
Asked how low he could take the record, Sullivan replied: “I
think that will do for now. I’ll have a bit of a break and just try
and relax and be able to enjoy this world record. Last time it
happened [when he swam 21.56s] it was straight back into training
and one solitary beer that night.
“I’m looking forward to being able to stay out of the pool for a
few days and try and work on my tan and go out with friends.
“I was shocked by that time. I was hoping for a 21.39s or
38s.”
Asked if he would limit the beer to one after swimming his final
race tonight, Sullivan replied: “I think it will be a few more this
time.”
It is remarkable to think that six weeks ago Sullivan was trying
to break 22 seconds. “It’s a bit unbelievable,” he said. “Something
I’ve been working towards every day of my life is to swim fast and
it’s all just come together in one big swoop.”
While his was the only world mark, it wasn’t the only record to
tumble last night. Meagen Nay not only booked her place in Beijing
by winning the 200m backstroke, she also set a Commonwealth record
with a 2:08.55 swim. Joining her on the flight will be Albury
teenager Belinda Hocking, who also lowered her personal best with a
time of 2:08.93.
Another record-breaker was 15-year-old Cate Campbell, who had
made the team the previous night when finishing second to Libby
Trickett in the 100m freestyle. Last night, however, it was
Campbell’s turn in the spotlight as she lowered her Commonwealth
record - which was 24.48s - in the 50m freestyle semi-finals with a
24.30s swim.
While generation next have made their way onto the Olympic team
this week, one not so young competitor last night booked his spot
at his third Games.
At the age of 32, Adam Pine will become a three-time Olympian in
Beijing after finishing second in the 100m butterfly final last
night, in a personal best of 52.13s.
“By the time I get to London [in 2012], I’ll be a really good
swimmer,” Pine joked.
Joining Pine in the butterfly is Andrew Lauterstein, who clocked
the second fastest time by an Australian in winning the event in
51.91s.
Brisbane teenager Kylie Palmer made her first Olympic team by
winning the 800m freestyle in 8:24.30.
