European Championships, Budapest, day 6 finals
Women 200m freestyle
Silke Lippok, Euro junior champ, knew no fear. Out in 56.19 in lane one, she would surely crack under pressure from a world champion, Federica Pellegrini, four metres back. Pellegrini, coached by Stefano Morini, ploughed on regardless of course, chased down her quarry on the third length, Lippok still ahead at the last turn, and then tore home to a 1:55.45 championship victory.
But in Lippok, second in 1:56.98, Germany, in the word's of a German colleague passing my seat as he scuttled to hear what the teen had to say, "has a new Franzi". The bronze went to Agnes Mutina (HUN) in 1:57.12, which locked out Camille Muffat (FRA), on 1:57.58. The final closed off with Coralie Balmy (FRA) on 1:58.78, making this the first time in history that eight finalists have raced below 2mins (and 1:59). A great race, the Pellegrini pull drawing the best out of the Europeans she is setting the standard for.
If Lippok's effort was courage and confidence personified, the skill and poise of the woman in the centre lane was a thing of beauty: not for a moment did she panic, not for a moment did she sway from focus on self, technique and a faith in what she knew she was capable of.
The splits:
- Pellegrini 2010: 27.88; 57.16; 1:26.42; 1:55.45
- Lippok 2010: 26.75; 56.19; 1:25.93; 1:56.98
- Pellegrini 2009: 27.34; 55.60; 1:24.38; 1:52.98
The gain of the suit is pretty consistent throughout
Olympic champion, Pellegrini, world record holder on an otherworldly suit-assisted 1:52.98, said: "After yesterday's semi I thought I might not be able to go so fast." The Italian, quoted far and wide as being a full supporter of the ban on suits, had had a fever of 38C and had thrown up. While she raced the 200m, she said a moment ago that she was unsure whether she would race the 400m tomorrow.
In the water, she had also confirmed what we knew: a champion before the silly season and a champion after it. "After the first half I saw Silke Lippok but I continued to swim my own race. I think Silke will be very good in this event in the future, a great competitor and a contender."
Lippok said: "My legs were shaking at the start. and now I'm totally exhausted. I gave it everything. I started the race very fast, which I clearly felt on the last 25, but it is incredibly to get a medal."
History unfolding:
Effect on race on all-time top 10: 0
Euro podiums:
- 2010: 1:55.45 - 1:57.12
- 2008: 1:57.45 - 1:58.06
- 2006: 1:57.25 - 1:58.38
Euro finals:
- 2010: 1:55.45 - 1:58.78
- 2008: 1:57.45 - 2:00.79
- 2006: 1:57.25 - 2:00.19
- Most Euro wins: Heike Friedrich (GDR); Franziska Van Almsick (GER); Camelia Potec (ROU): 2 each
- Most Titles/Nation: GDR, 8
- Tightest Podium: 1997 - gold to bronze - 0.24sec
From the archive: In 1991, the European Championships were awash with rumours of the prodigious talent of a 13-year-old identified as special at six in East Germany’s talent-selection process. Franziska van Almsick was too young to compete for reunified Germany as a senior that summer. Four Olympic medals in 1992 were followed by a record six gold and one bronze at 1993 European titles and then a world title in world-record time in 1994. The upset of silver in the 200m at the 1996 Olympic Games proved a major set back for the German star. At the turn of the Millennium, she sought the help of a psychologist and moved to train with a men's programme in Berlin in readiness for a home 2002 Europeans. Among her four golds was a world record of 1:56.64. By the time that fell in 2007, Van Almick had enjoyed a 13-year reign at the helm on the clock.
Records
Shiny suit era
- WR/ER: 1:52.98 Federica Pellegrini (ITA) Jul 2009
February 1 2008
- WR/ER: 1:55.52 Laure Manaudou (FRA) Mar 2007
