European Championships, Budapest, day 1, semi-finals:
Men 100m backstroke
The best of the semis came from Camille Lacourt (FRA), who blasted a 52.58 championship record in the 100m backstroke for a multiple achievement: lane four in the final, the top of the 2010 world rankings and inside what had stood as the world record to Olympic Aaron Peirsol (USA) before the shiny suits era. The Frenchman's technique and body position is something to behold.
Next through was teammate Jeremy Stravius (FRA), on 53.47, Vitaly Borisov (RUS) following on in 54.23. There was, technically, no place in the final for Liam Tancock (GBR), 9th on 54.72 after a 52.85 spring blast that had led the way in the world inside Peirsol's pre-2008 standard. The Brit may still race tomorrow, however, after Markus Rogan (AUT) told reporters in the mixed zone after placing 8th on 54.51 that he will not contest the final.
Men 100m breaststroke
Alex Dale Oen (NOR), defending champion, followed the trend set by Lacourt on backstroke with a 59.29sec championship record in the 100m breaststroke semi. Just 0.16sec outside the time at which Brendan Hansen (USA) held the world mark in January 2008, the Dane was the only man inside the minute, with Hugues Duboscq (FRA) and Daniel Gyurta (HUN) next through in 1:00.54 and 1:00.56. The cut: 1:01.23. Dale Oen won the 2008 crown in 59.76 and made no secret of his distaste for the shiny silliness that followed.
Women 50m butterfly
World champion Therese Alshammar (SWE) led the way on 25.50. a championship record. Her teammate, world 100m champion, Sarah Sjoestrom was next through in 25.66, ahead of Jeannette Ottesen (DEN), in 26.02. Last into the final, world champs medallist Ingvold Snildal (NOR), on 26.88.
Women 200m backstroke
Marce da Rocha (ESP) finds herself in a pincer of Brits for the final, on 2:10.56, with Elizabeth Simmonds one side of her, on 2:10.71 at a cruise, and world 100m champ Gemma Spofforth on the other, on 2:11.25, also slower than her morning heat in what, from up in the Gods, looked like a deliberate ploy not to give too much away too soon. World silver medallist in Rome last year, Anastasia Zueva (RUS) withdrew suffering from back pain but may race the 50m later in the week.
Men 50m 'fly
Spain booked another lane 4 for tomorrow, world record holder Rafael Munoz on 23.15 ahead of Fred Bousquet (FRA), 23.30, and Steffen Deibler (GER), on 23.56.
