LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) – World champion James Magnussen
resurfaced from his disappointing showing in the relay to easily
qualify for the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres freestyle at
the London Olympics on Tuesday.
The Australian, who had boasted before the Games that he
would win gold medals in the blue-riband sprint but finished
only fourth in the relay, was in better form in Tuesday’s heats.
He finished second in his morning heat and fourth overall
after cruising through two laps of London’s Aquatics Centre in
48.38 seconds.
I think this morning was a positive sign. I felt I did quite
a good swim,” he said. “I think I can get it quite a lot faster
tonight.
“So I just got to stay relaxed. When I’m relaxed is
ultimately when I get the results.”
Nathan Adrian, who won a silver medal for the United States
in Sunday’s relay after beating Magnussen in the lead-off leg,
was fastest overall, posting a time of 48.19, just ahead of
ahead of South Africa’s Gideon Louw and Sebastiaan Verschuren of
the Netherlands.
Brazilian world record holder Cesar Cielo was 10th overall,
while Yannick Agnel, who anchored the French 4×100 freestyle
relay team to gold and won the individual 200 title, was 12th
equal.
The top 16 qualified for Tuesday night’s semi-finals, from
which the eighth best will advance to Wednesday’s final.
Magnussen was the overwhelming favourite to win gold before
the Games after winning the world title last year but said his
below-par showing in the relay had given his opponent’s a boost.
“It hurt my pride as much as anything the other night,” he
said.
“A lot of my competitors have never seen me lose or sort of
falter at a moment like that. I reckon they probably think they
can beat me right now but I’m going to fight for this one.”
(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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