Madrid 2004

[CGorman]

The European LC Championships in Madrid are almost here, starts 5th until 16th May. Hope theres a few records. Theres a few Irish swimmers going who need slight PB's to qualify for the Olympics, so I can't wait for the results. Eurosport are covering most of the events live... some good links are...

http://www.madrid2004.org/ - offical site
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/home/pages/V3/L2/S54/E6753/schedule_Lng2_Spo54_Evt6753_Sea12.shtml - scedule
http://www.madrid2004.org/eng/sub_menu30.asp - Venue info

[londoner62]

And for the latest results go to http://www.omegatiming.com/ Always appears to be a reliable site :read:

Paul

[Bazza]

Does anybody know when the swimming starts, I don't think it's today?

[DAK]

Does anybody know when the swimming starts, I don't think it's today?

I believe it is the 10th of May.

[londoner62]

The synchro started today, Wednesday the 5th,
The diving starts Saturday the 8th,
The open water also starts on the 8th
The swimming finally gets underway on Monday the 10th.

[lane4]

Things got underway this morning.
Just finished watching the heats on Eurosport. James and Drew provided their usual commentary. :rolleyes:
Nothing special at all to report in terms of times. The weather was cold and it didn't look a good morning for swimming with no atmosphere and many of Europe's best swimmers not in attendance. However, hopefully things will pick up in the finals later.

[Bazza]

Could they not schedule the Europeans at a better time in the swimming calendar? Last time they clashed with the Commonwealth Games, this time nobody is there because of the Olympics.

[lane4]

this time nobody is there because of the Olympics.

Frankly, unless you're on drugs and keen to avoid being tested I don't see that as a reasonable excuse not to attend.

If it's good enough for the likes of VDH, Rosolino, Popov, Vyatchinin, Risztov, Kovacs and Klochkova etc then why will it harm GB's Olympic prospects? They could have swam it without bodysuits or shave downs and even carried rugs on their backs ;) Such measures, the brainchild of NPD Bill Sweetenham, would have surely demonstrated how tough they are and how fast they can go whilst in heavy training against all these other fully rested teams.

;) :p :devil:

[Kaci]

woohoo its on tv now... well thats if you go to a uni where they pick up Euro Sport! (or obviously have sky)

[swimmer]

grgrgr I WISH i has eurosport!!! :(

[swimbuoy]

Frankly, unless you're on drugs and keen to avoid being tested I don't see that as a reasonable excuse not to attend.

If it's good enough for the likes of VDH, Rosolino, Popov, Vyatchinin, Risztov, Kovacs and Klochkova etc then why will it harm GB's Olympic prospects? They could have swam it without bodysuits or shave downs and even carried rugs on their backs ;) Such measures, the brainchild of NPD Bill Sweetenham, would have surely demonstrated how tough they are and how fast they can go whilst in heavy training against all these other fully rested teams.

;) :p :devil:

And on top of that the event is of course in an outdoor pool which again would be excellent preparation for Athens.

[swimmer]

anyone got a link to the results? :)

[Kaci]

And for the latest results go to http://www.omegatiming.com/ Always appears to be a reliable site. :read:

Paul

i think this is it

[Steve]

Frankly, unless you're on drugs and keen to avoid being tested I don't see that as a reasonable excuse not to attend.

If it's good enough for the likes of VDH, Rosolino, Popov, Vyatchinin, Risztov, Kovacs and Klochkova etc then why will it harm GB's Olympic prospects? They could have swam it without bodysuits or shave downs and even carried rugs on their backs ;) Such measures, the brainchild of NPD Bill Sweetenham, would have surely demonstrated how tough they are and how fast they can go whilst in heavy training against all these other fully rested teams.

;) :p :devil:
I think that (Tara help me out here :)) that Rosolino might have had to go to confirm his pre-selection for the Italian squad, but either way you are right - what harm could it have done?

[croberts]

Does anyone know where there are pictures from Madrid? I wanted to see both how the weather makes the championships look and how the 86 World Champ site has been cleaned up...

[Kaci]

Quick observation but they all seem to wear alot of Arena suits compared to over here.... Are any of the teams sponsored by Arena?

[Bazza]

I think alot of European teams/swimmers are sponsored by Arena. Speedo is more of an American thing.

Haven't seen Popov swimming, is he just doing the 50?

Also many top swimmers are not attending, including Inge and the Germans and US based swimmers such as Bousquet.

[Kaci]

there are still alot of fastskin and fastskin2's but the rest is made up by arena. I spose Arena is similar to the way we wear diana over here.

[CGorman]

If anyones interested theres a nice underwater picture of todays 4x100m womens F/C on BBC News.

See picture 3 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/3704215.stm

[swimbuoy]

Alas, so far the whole event has been something of a damp squib & I say that as a real fan of international swimming. Poor weather, poor crowds & poor times seem to be the order of the day. The mood is not helped by the inept commentary provided by Eurosport in the form of Drew Gordon & James Parrack. Some of their comments are an absolute joke, and Drew in particular does not seem up to speed with the latest swimming trends. Bring back Hamilton Bland, he is a liar & a thief (alledgedly) I know, but his commentary was far more inspiring.

We are seeing a real mixture of swimmers, some tapered in an attempt to qualify for Athens, whilst others such as Pieter V D Hoogenband are obviously in heavy work at the moment. I really admire how he is unafraid to put his reputation on the line & he will clearly benefit from the racing. He looked dreadful in the semis of the 100 free tonight, well as dreadful as a 49.6 can look ;)

Some high points:- Solenne Figues going 1.57 to anchor France to an unlikely silver in the relay, 54.'s from Matella & a young Greek woman in the 100 free semis & Klochkova being as dominant as ever in the 400 IM. These swimmers are going to gain enormous confidence producing respectable swims under such conditions (much more than that gained in the relative comfort of the french nationals, against relatively weak fields I might add!!).

[Kaci]

Yeh i am in agreement. The atmosphere is poor and there in no one in the crowds. This may be a silly question but why are there no Brits there?

Is one of the commentators your on about Scottish cos thats who i have on Europsort but mine my be different to yours cos it is German T.V in English. Also I think the commentating of the diving is really harsh (altho i know nothing about diving).

[lane4]

Yeh i am in agreement. The atmosphere is poor and there in no one in the crowds. This may be a silly question but why are there no Brits there?
This has already been discussed but in case you haven't read other posts, the closeness of the Olympics is the official reason but nobody really knows the real reason?!


Is one of the commentators your on about Scottish cos thats who i have on Europsort but mine my be different to yours cos it is German T.V in English.
Yes his name is Drew Gordon. He is a former coach.

[lane4]

Some high points:- Solenne Figues going 1.57 to anchor France to an unlikely silver in the relay, 54.'s from Matella & a young Greek woman in the 100 free semis & Klochkova being as dominant as ever in the 400 IM. These swimmers are going to gain enormous confidence producing respectable swims under such conditions (much more than that gained in the relative comfort of the french nationals, against relatively weak fields I might add!!).
Yes Figues and Metalla are looking very promising for Athens. The French also have Manadou at the top level in various female events and a strong Athens contender. Klochkova looks certain to bag another haul of medals in Athens as well as in Madrid.

Remember though swimbuoy, when referring to the French Nationals, the Brits had in really tough over there, especially given the long journey to Dunkirque and the fact that they were in heavy training against a fully rested French team!

[lane4]

Another set of disappointing heats this morning, which included a HDW 800 free! Disgraceful that there is not a heat and final for this event.

[D-Swim]

Hi, Im new, I agree that the champs so far havent been at its best but being half Italian there is some good news for Italy. With some of the old now going out some great prospects such as 15 year old Pellegrini, Mignani, Bossini, Facci etc. look like they are coming through. Its been a giid champs so far and may it continue for Italy. In general though, the absences of many swimmers and the atmosphere have made a poor champs.

[CGorman]

I think the absence of the British is one of the things dampening the athmosphere of the meet for people. Lack of well known British Swimmer's names each day is causing me to lose interest in the meet so far. I hope as we enter some of the big event sof the next day or two things get more exciting.

Just wondering has there been any ER yet? Cuz I missed todays events due to training!

[Nevilles polish]

Cannot help feeling sorry for my son, having finished in the medals at the olympic trials in a time in the worlds top 20 from last year but not making the Olympic qualifying time, still unfunded watching the european champs on tv where he could possibly have finished in the top 5 in his event, sitting in a tiny room 300 miles from home waiting to train 4 hours tomorrow. Just found out the criteria for selection to the european short course in champs in December, no chance there.
Still theres the Commonwealth games in 2006.
The powers that be are asking alot of the unchosen few.

[lane4]

Cannot help feeling sorry for my son, having finished in the medals at the olympic trials in a time in the worlds top 20 from last year but not making the Olympic qualifying time, still unfunded watching the european champs on tv where he could possibly have finished in the top 5 in his event, sitting in a tiny room 300 miles from home waiting to train 4 hours tomorrow. Just found out the criteria for selection to the european short course in champs in December, no chance there.
Still theres the Commonwealth games in 2006.
The powers that be are asking alot of the unchosen few.
That's all very bitter Neville old chap. Perhaps you should be a bit more grateful for how good your son is instead of blaming the powers that be for not putting him on the team(s) and funding him? At the end of the day, if your son is good enough to get on the teams you'd like him to be on, he 'will' get on the teams you'd like him to be on. Are we allowed to know who you're referring to? I've narrowed it down to one of three so far.

[D-Swim]

Last night gold for Magnini in the 100m free - Italy finally have a good 100m free. Bronze for Rosolino too.

I dont understand why GB are not here... this would be a good preparation and test for those who are gunning for medals in the olympics.

[CGorman]

Did you see the 17 year old belerus girl fall in today... it must be heartbraking to false start in a semifinal at that level and at that age

[londoner62]

Looks like our party of 13 competitors has claimed the first of our medals. http://www.britishswimming.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5026-142440-19728-28293-126487-9137-5014-layout73-159656-news-item,00.html

Paul

[lane4]

Well done indeed to the boy Bircher and his coach Andrei Vorontsov.

[Heat One, Lane One]

I agree with comments regarding Drew Gordon, he is totally rubbish. I almost switched off the World champs last year when he was panning the smaller (slower) nations. He kept harping on as though they shouldn't be allowed to be there even though it was the 'WORLD' championships. He stated the need for a development meet whereby slower nations can qualify from to swim against the best in the world. Being from a small nation myself albeit one that doesn't send swimmers to World Champs I was not very happy. Each country sends their best swimmers and does their best. If the top swimmers didn't want to swim against slow swimmers I am sure they would put in a complaint collectively if they felt that strongly. It's a fair point that he has this view but to constantly repeat it everyday for eight days it got a little boring.

If you're listening Drew, we'd appreciate your views.

[Nevilles polish]

That's all very bitter Neville old chap. Perhaps you should be a bit more grateful for how good your son is instead of blaming the powers that be for not putting him on the team(s) and funding him? At the end of the day, if your son is good enough to get on the teams you'd like him to be on, he 'will' get on the teams you'd like him to be on. Are we allowed to know who you're referring to? I've narrowed it down to one of three so far.
I am certainly not blaming the powers that be for not selecting him because he did not make the time, and in fact I don't think anyone at the trials shouted and applauded anyone as loudly who actually failed in what they were trying to do as we did. Funding is another matter, trying to find any criteria from the ASA seems a tad difficult.
I would like to know the reason why K A Payne got another swim in a major competition, good luck to her but why was she given the opportunity.

[lane4]

I would like to know the reason why K A Payne got another swim in a major competition, good luck to her but why was she given the opportunity.
It's very simple really, and if you genuinely cannot work it out, PM me and I'll let you know the answer.

[swimbuoy]

Well the European Champs are at last starting to fire up. There were some good races last night & we are starting to see some world class times being posted despite the less than ideal conditions. It is interesting to see the reactions of Moravcova, Hoogenband & Klochkova etc when they have won a race. Despite all their achievements you can see a genuine happiness about winning & the look on their face that says "well I've swum a reasonable time in heavy training, in tough conditions, I know I'm bang on schedule for Athens".

The French & Italian teams must also be gaining tremendous confidence from this meet. Manaudou & Matella have posted world class times & we are seeing the emergence of new names (on the international scene) from Italy such as Pellegrini & Magnini.

:) :cool: :devil:

[DAK]

It's very simple really, and if you genuinely cannot work it out, PM me and I'll let you know the answer.

Why not share it with the forum?

[DAK]

Well the European Champs are at last starting to fire up. There were some good races last night & we are starting to see some world class times being posted despite the less than ideal conditions. It is interesting to see the reactions of Moravcova, Hoogenband & Klochkova etc when they have won a race. Despite all their achievements you can see a genuine happiness about winning & the look on their face that says "well I've swum a reasonable time in heavy training, in tough conditions, I know I'm bang on schedule for Athens".

The French & Italian teams must also be gaining tremendous confidence from this meet. Manaudou & Matella have posted world class times & we are seeing the emergence of new names (on the international scene) from Italy such as Pellegrini & Magnini.

:) :cool: :devil:

Good to see some strong swimming. Interesting how different people prepare for the Olympics in different ways.

[Bazza]

Well done indeed to the boy Bircher and his coach Andrei Vorontsov.

I'll second that.

Why does the ASA site always have 4 lines in between each small paragraph in their reports? They always take up twice as much room as they need to - what is the point?!

[Bazza]

Holy Cow!

Filippo Magnini just anchored home the Italian 4x200 free relay to gold. He did 1:18.19, not surprisingly suffering for his first 100 of 50.68! Rosolino split a 1:46.

Magnini's splits:

24.11
26.57 (50.68)
28.53
28.98 (57.51)

Unfortunately Hoogenband didn't swim for the Dutch team...

[Top10ranking]

great 4 x 200 by italy and a great first leg. 1.47.7 i think