Sullivan wins, Trickett misses out on Rome trip

Source: Agencies | March 21, 2009, Saturday |

Print Edition

WORLD record holder Eamon Sullivan has set his sights on French Olympic champion Alain Bernard after winning the Australian 100 meters freestyle title yesterday.

Sullivan stormed to victory in 48.34 seconds to book his place in the Australian team for this year's world championships in Rome just eight weeks after undergoing hip surgery. The Australian was beaten by Bernard in the Olympic final at Beijing last year but is already looking forward to racing him in Italy.

"We share a good relationship and a good rivalry and that is what sport is all about and I love it," Sullivan told reporters. "I have come out the bad end of it at the Olympics but ... it is good to have someone who I enjoy hanging around with but I hate when I am in the pool."

Australia's Olympic champion for the women's 100 butterfly, Libby Trickett, surprisingly missed out on a place at Rome in one of her main events when she finished fourth behind Jessicah Schipper.

Trickett had already qualified in the 50 butterfly and 100 freestyle but needed to finish at least second to secure a berth in the 100 butterfly.

"I feel there is a bit of baggage for me with this event being Olympic champion and all those things that come with it," she said.

"But I should be a mature enough athlete to deal with that."

Stephanie Rice, the world record holder in the 200 and 400 IMs, snuck into second place, giving her potentially six events in Rome.

"I think I have added a few extra races that I had not planned on and I am excited about that," she said.

Leisel Jones said she was having second thoughts about her decision to skip the world titles after setting the fastest qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke semifinals.

The reigning Olympic and world champion had announced she was taking a year off to re-charge her batteries in the hope of going to London in 2012 but decided to contest the Australian trials anyway.

"I guess the whole time I said no I don't want to go because I am having a sabbatical year," Jones said.

"I have pretty much blown that out the door by doing this meet and I would love to go but I am not doing it at the moment."

Swimming

About Us
|
Terms of Use
|
RSS
|
Privacy Policy
|
Contact Us
|
Shanghai Call Center: 962288
|
Tip-off hotline: 52920043

沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
|
互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
|
网络视听许可证：0909346
|
广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
|
增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012

Sullivan wins, Trickett misses out on Rome trip

Email this to your friend