International Swimming Federation president, Husain Al-Musallam believes the FINA 25 World Championships in Abu Dhabi brings hope to the normalisation of life in response to growing global concern over the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. FINA has confirmed that 937 swimmers will take part in the World Swimming Championships, but South Africa will only have two swimmers after a massive withdrawal. Hundred and eighty-three countries are taking part in the event.
South Africa’s swimming sensation Chad Le Clos won bronze in the men’s 200 metres butterfly. Olympic gold medalist Tatjana Schoenmaker is a notable absentee after almost the entire South African team were forced to withdraw due to a coronavirus-related travel ban on the country.
A total of twenty-one South African swimmers were due to make the trip to the United Arab Emirates but only two have been confirmed as entries. They are ten-time short course world champion Le Clos, and Australian based Michaela Pulford.
It has also been reported that Italy’s Fabio Scozzoli – who claimed gold at the 2012 World Championships – was forced to pull out of the event, scheduled to run from Saturday until next Tuesday.
Despite seven countries withdrawing, top international swimmers from 183 countries will be in action including Japan’s double world record-holder Daiya Seto, who won gold in the 200 metres butterfly and 400 metres medley at the 2018 World Championships. The first gold medal of the event went to Felix Auboeck of Austria in the men’s 400 metres freestyle.
“I don’t know what to say I came here I wanted to swim a personal best I think this race was exactly what I wanted to do and I was able to perform finally and become a world champion,” says Auboeck.
Competition was still very stiff. Haughey Shibam set a new world record in the women’s 200 metres freestyle. She clocked one minute 50-point-31 seconds to win gold, beating Rebecca Smith of Canada and Paige Madden of the United States.
“I’m really happy with it and I don’t think words can describe how happy I am because I was so close, you know I’m happy that I finally did it. Hong Kong’s first-ever world champion, world record so I’m so happy about it,” says Shibam.
Then it was Le Clos’ turn to shine in the men’s 200 metres butterfly final. Le Clos had a very strong start and led in the beginning of the race. But the 29-year old South African ran out of steam as the race progressed, and was already lying third with twenty-five metres remaining. He got bronze, with 22-year old Alberto Razzetti of Italy winning gold in one minute 49-point-06 seconds. Noe Pinto of Switzerland won silver.
“It’s incredible I’m speechless it’s a great result the time is incredible. I was feeling good today so I tried until the end and I made it. I think I will realise it tomorrow because now it’s incredible,” says Razzetti.
Tessa Cieplucha of Canada won gold in the women’s 400 metres individual medley. The 23-year old clocked four minutes 25-point-55 seconds. Japanese world champion Daiya Seto did not disappoint in the men’s 200 metres individual medley. He won gold after clocking one minute 51-point-15 seconds.
Canada and the United States could not be separated in the women’s 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay both clocking 3 minutes 28-point-52 seconds. Sweden had to settle for bronze. The Russian Swimming Federation won their first-ever relay medal in the men’s 4 x 100 metres freestyle final.
Italy and the United States had to settle for silver and bronze respectively.
