Queen Laure

LEN





No

1

May

2007

EUROPEAN A Q U AT I C S H I G H L I G H T S



Magazine









Queen

Laure

A couple of golds

France’s Laure Manaudou was elected

the best female swimmer of the Mel-

bourne World Championships. With two

gold medals and a new WR, Manaudou

became the queen of the event and

saved at least some pride for Europe.

In a sport full of tough challenges, even

top athletes can find time for love and

happiness. Queen Laure’s fairy-tale ro-

mance with Italy’s Luca Marin makes

her life ‘just wonderful’.









Ligue Européenne de Natation . www.lenweb.org

Europe’s champions

in Melbourne

First row, top (from left): Gleb Galperin

Britta Kamrau-Corestein (GER, OW, 25 km), (RUS, DV,

Mateusz Sawrymowicz (POL, SW, 1500 free), platform).

Laure Manaudou (FRA, SW, 200 free, 400 free),

Therese Alshammar (SWE, SW, 50 fly),

Anastasia Davidova, Anastasia Ermakova (RUS, SY, Third row:

duet, technical, free) Yuri Kudinov (RUS, OW, 25km),

Virgine Dedieu (FRA, SY, solo, free),

Middle row: Larisa Ilchenko (RUS, OW, 5km, 10km), Natalia Ischenko (RUS, SY, solo, technical),

Oleg Lisogor (UKR, SW, 50 breast), Vladimir Dyatchin (RUS, OW, 10km),

Thomas Lurz (GER, OW, 5km). The Croatian Water Polo Team.









Below, left:

Filippo Magnini (ITA, SW, 100 free),



The Russian Synchro Team

(Free Routine Combination, Technical, Free)

CONTENTS

Swimming FINA Water polo LEN Magazine By now Spring is well and

II./1. issue

Published by:

truly here in Europe with the

Lessons for Europe 4 View from the top 26 The Giants of Melbourne 34 Ligue Européenne Natation warmer weather lifting our

Analysis of the Melbourne World The landscape of aquatics after the Their teams clashed in the Melbourne

(LEN) spirits.

Championships: why the US are so Melbourne World Championships. Our final, now it’s the coaches’ turn. Face to This year, perhaps, it is even

strong, what should Europe do to Q&A with Mustapha Larfaoui, the face, Ratko Rudic of Croatia and Denes more welcome after the

catch up Phelps&Co. Graphics and President of FINA. Kemeny of Hungary, the two greatest reality of Europe’s overall

stats show competing at the beginning coaches of recent years. Their views position at the FINA World

of the year is not Europe’s business. about the World Champs, the current Swimming Championships.

LEN We have measured our-

game and the future of

Looking for the rebound 10 water polo. Also stats selves against the ‘giants’

Activities, changes 28 BARTOLO with more or less success









PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Germans had an outstanding Apart from competitions, there are and unique facts.

European Championships in Buda- other duties leaders of LEN should take. CONSOLO and now know what we

pest, then came Melbourne and their Let’s make must aspire to in prepara-

An overview of LEN’s activities, data

worst show since the reunification. We the sport more tion for Beijing 2008. As a body LEN of

updates within the community and

tried to find the reasons. enjoyable 38 course will assist as best we can and one

details of the conference held for find-

The only six-time Olym- way we can do this is to offer top-class Euro-

ing new ways of promotion and fund-

Tsar Magno 12 pian of water polo, Ma- pean competition. For our swimmers the

raising to support the programs of

In the classical event it is still Filippo nuel Estiarte returned ‘Open de Paris’ in August, a long awaited

UNICEF.

Magnini who rules the World. Unbeaten to the scene last year. dream becomes reality, promises to be a

Contents

since 2005 in the 100m free, the new tsar The Spanish great did tough long course event – but please take

Events’ overview 29 time to enjoy it too! For the sprinters

is targeting the Olympic A calendar of all major LEN events, not like what he saw.

crown. Our exclusive The virtuosity long gone, Debrecen and the eleventh European Short

2007-2009. Take a look, you can bid to

interview with Pippo. geniuses are ordered Course Swimming Championships in

host some of them!

to serve the teams’ tac- December await.

No doping, tics. Talent wasted, tri-

just cases 14 Diving umph above every- We had excellent moments at the World

The good news: there thing? Our exclusive Championships, I think of Europe having a

were no positive dope

Galperin and the Chinese 30 interview with the clean sweep in Synchronised Swimming. In

Russia’s Gleb Galperin was the lone Water Polo too we can continue to hold our

tests in Melbourne. The legendary playmaker.

European who managed to grab a heads high, though Manuel Estiarte gives us

bad news: we had

gold medal in Melbourne, all others some of his thoughts on the game on page

rumours as always. Open water

went to the Chinese. An analysis of the 38. Our Open Water swimmers also suffered

And to get to the bottom

Asians’ supremacy. some ‘shocks’ in more ways than one as

of it, the best watch- What is the limit? 40

dog of doping cases, reported on page 40.

In Melbourne the open water events

L’Equipe exposed the were marred by scenes

Thorpe case. The LEN Magazine is now into its second

never seen before.

A close look behind the year and we are growing. I have been

Faults even penalized

scenes. delighted with your feedback from our first

in water polo upset

editions, and here you will find more in-

most swimmers, main-

Beat of the moment 18 depth articles and features by high-calibre

ly the Europeans. How

Shamed Ukrainian coach, Mikhail Zub- international journalists.

could it happen and

kov was banned from the Champions- Shortly you will also be able to experience a

what should the lead-

hips in Melbourne after insulting his new-look LEN web space, for in this modern

ers do to avoid similar

young daughter, Katerina. How far can World there is no time to ‘stand still’ – no more

accidents in the future.

a coach go? Comments from coaches so than in European aquatics at the moment.

Synchro

and a psychologist. Editorial Board:

Poolside The LEN Bureau Away from the ‘pool’ but stiIl in the context of

From Russia, with art 32 CONSOLO Bartolo (LEN President, ITA),

water, I’m delighted that the LEN-UNICEF

Good morning! In synchronized swimming it’s Russia LUYCE Francis (LEN Vice-President, FRA),

Bad morning? 19 b

Tit-bits 42 ALESHIN Gennady (LEN Vice-President, RUS), partnership to raise awareness of the impor-

all the way. What makes these wonder Mix of the most interesting stories: the

Finals will be held in the morning during

FOLVIK Sven Egil (LEN Secretary, NOR), tance of clean water for every child is flour-

girls so much better than the rest? romance of Laure Manaudou and KRUCHTEN Nory (LEN Treasurer, LUX),

the Beijing Olympic Games. We asked BLANCO PEREA Rafael (ESP), CLARKSON ishing, with more Federations enlisting their

Answers from the superpower’s best Luca Marin, dancing swimming-stars

some top European swimmers how Alan (GBR), DIATHESOPOULOS Dimitris (GRE), support. The European Short Course

coach, Tatiana Pokrovskaya and LEN such as Massimiliano Rosolino, Agnes EBEJER Robert (MLT), GYARFAS Tamas (HUN),

they feel about swimming for medals Championships in Helsinki last December

synchro committee’s vice chairman Kovacs and David Meca, and more! MIKKOLA Kurt (FIN), NOGUEIRA Francisco

instead of having breakfast. Alberto Victor (POR), THIEL Christa (GER), were dedicated to UNICEF and now this pro-

Igor Kartashov. VAN HEIJNINGEN F.D. Erik (NED), ject is becoming more concrete. Proactive

Coming up VLASKOV Andry (UKR) – members.

LEN Director: SZAKADATI Laszlo

support is spreading throughout our Fede-

51 countries rations who have responded well to the call.

Paris and Eindhoven 47 Editor-in-chief: GYARFAS Tamas

Editor: CSURKA Gergely

Views expressed in Around Europe 20 About the most important LEN-events. Design: FABIAN Istvan So, as you ‘Spring’ into Summer, my best

articles are those of LEN has 51 member Federations but Advertising sales: Comm’Unity, Paris wishes to you all for a successful Summer of

the authors and not

necessarily reflect only about twenty countries appear in Next one, please! Language editor: WOODWARD Joy

Coordinator: TAKACS Nikoletta

European aquatics

those of the editors, the news. Our Magazine offers room for Contributors: ARCOBELLI Stefano,

the LEN Bureau each member of the family to publish Offers from August 48 DIBIASI Klaus, FUCHS Dietmar, LORD Craig

or the Ligue Photo: Reuters, SCALA Giorgio, SZAKA Jozsef

Européenne de news of its activities. 51 countries, 51 From our next issue: stars in Paris, Printing: Alfoldi Printinghouse, Debrecen, Hungary

Natation (LEN). pieces of news. future stars in Beijing, and more. E-mail: lenmagazine@lenmagazine.com



4 LEN

Magazine

SPOTLIGHT





The World Champion Northern star

vs. the best European in the south –

Therese Alshammar

This material presents the difference won the 50m fly

between the World Champion and the

best European swimmer in the category

concerned. As in the case of world









Lessons

records (see page 8-9), here the differ-









Photos: REUTERS

ence is greater – bigger than 2% – in

events where Michael Phelps won.

Here are six events from both genders

where the difference is the greatest.









for Europe Men

100m fly

Difference:

1. PHELPS Michael

1.46

USA

2.79%

50.77

5. SERDINOV Andriy UKR 52.23

Are the proportions acceptable? 200m fly

The United States collected Difference: 3.13 2.71%

three times as many gold 1. PHELPS Michael USA 1:52.09

3. SKVORTSOV Nikolay RUS 1:55.22

medals in swimming as the S

RATTAY / REUTER

whole of Europe put together. 200m free Photo: WOLFGANG

Difference: 2.42 2.27%

Is it attributable solely to the 1. PHELPS Michael USA 1:43.86

winning streak of wonder kid 2. V. D HOOGENBAND NED 1:46.28 The only other title to go the way of a

European woman, however, was Therese

Michael Phelps? The answer is 4x200m free Alshammar’s victory for Sweden over

negative. Take away his Difference: 8.04 1.86%

50m butterfly. In terms of Olympic

1. United States 7:03.24

astounding seven gold medals 4. Great Britain 7:11.28 potential that result for the 2000 Olympic

and there still are 13 USA Champions League – double silver medallist was less exciting

medals as compared with the creme of Europe: 200m IM than her silver-lining over 50m freestyle

Difference: 1.94 1.65% – just 0.09sec behind one of five golden

Europe’s six. Laure Manaudou 1. PHELPS Michael USA 1:54.98

(big picture), 3. CSEH Laszlo ITA 1:56.92 outings for Aussie Libby Lenton – in a

Sawrymowicz, fashion that proved that the Swede

Depending on your outlook in aquatic Magnini, Alshammar, 50m fly remains one of the finest technical

life, Europe’s standing after the 12th Lisogor Difference: 0.38 1.61% sprinters ever to grace a pool.

World Championships in Melbourne – 1. SCHOEMAN Roland RSA 23.18

(small pictures, 3. ANDKJAER J. Sch. DEN 23.56

and a little over a year before the above) Among men, Italy’s Filippo Magnini up-

Beijing Olympic Games – can be held honour in retaining the blue-ribband

viewed optimistically as “glass half full” Women

screamed: get serious full-time or for- We have yet to see the final Beijing 100m freestyle crown in a victory shared The best in the breast

or pessimistically as “glass half empty. get about gold. More on that later. race programme but Manaudou could 200m IM with Canada’s Brent Hayden, while – Oleg Lisogor won gold for the 3rd time in

pan for gold over 200, 400, 800m Difference: 3.92 2.92% Poland’s Mateusz Sawrymowicz and 50m after 2001 and 2005

But whether you’re raising the glass or First, the good news for Europe: yet freestyle, 100 and 200m backstroke 1. HOFF Kathryn USA 2:10.13 Russia’s Yuri Prilukov revelled in a rivalry

drowning your sorrows in it, the lesson 5. HJORTH-HANSEN J. DEN 2:14.05

again, no other continent boasted as and potentially over the shorter med- honed in Budapest last summer to over- Americans and Australians, whose

from Down Under is clear: there is many finalists, the old world taking 45% ley, the longer one an event in which haul the 2004 Olympic and 2005 world combined results would make Europe’s

200m breast

work to be done if Europeans want to of places in men’s finals and 47.5% in she is yet to show the same will that Difference: 4.10 2.80% medallists, Grant Hackett (AUS), Larsen efforts pale by comparison.

catch the new wave that washed in a women’s finals. The women fared a lit- has driven her to uncharted waters in 1. JONES Leisel AUS 2:21.84 Jensen (USA) and David Davies (GBR)

set of standards – both on the clock on 2. BALFOUR Kirsty GBR 2:25.94 who lost his European record by 0.01sec If Europeans took two golds among

tle better on medal count, taking middle-distance freestyle.

the wall and technically in the water – 36.6% of podium places, against in taking a bronze medal that provided women and two among men in Olym-

4x100m medley

with tidal force in the temporary Susie 33.3% for men. Germany’s Annika Difference: 6.44 2.65% Europe with its second full podium. pic events, then the USA took seven

O’Neill pool at the Rod Laver Arena. Lurz and Italy’s Fe- 1. Australia 3:55.74 among women and a staggering 11

Melbourne marked

Amid the statistics derica Pellegrini, who 2. Great Britain 4:02.18 Oleg Lisogor’s gold for Ukraine over among men, while Australian women

a seachange in swimming,

Make no mistake: Melbourne marked a (alongside this article), confined Franziska 50m breaststroke gave Europe’s men its claimed gold in eight Olympic events.

one that heralded a movement 400m IM

seachange in swimming, one that her- the star of the old-world van Almsick’s 2002 only other title, while his fifth-place finish

described by some head coach- Difference: 7.25 2.58%

alded a movement described by some show was undoubted- standard to history in 1. HOFF Katie USA 4:32.89 over 100m confirmed that a time of over a The margins by which Europe has fall-

es as the new fifth stroke.

head coaches as the new fifth stroke. ly France’s Laure Ma- the semi-final, also 2. MARTYNOVA Yana RUS 4:40.14 minute is no longer medal-competitive. en behind in some areas are signifi-

We’ve seen Dolphin at play for many naudou, who emerged opened the door to a cant too. If Michael Phelps’s blast over

years but never with quite the same 100m breast

as the most versatile and courageous new era over 200m freestyle in Difference: 1.55 2.30% Which brings us to the less palatable 200m freestyle now places Pieter van

effectiveness within the confines of the female swimmer of the championships, Manaudou’s wake – providing Europe 1. JONES Leisel AUS 1:05.72 news for the continent. While places in den Hoogenband’s dominant European

15-metre rule. We’ve seen profession- her magnificent world record of 1min with one of two clean sweeps – while 3. KHLISTUNOVA Anna UKR 1:07.27 finals provide evidence that Europe’s record 0.98% shy of the world mark,

alism and long-term dedication before 55.52sec over 200m freestyle capping Poland’s Otylia Jedrzejczak, on a long-established birthpool of talent is then consider the gap between world

too, but the value of those twin 50m breast

two gold, two silver medals on her own 4:04.23 over 400 metres freestyle, let Difference: 0.72 2.29%

alive and kicking, few and far between and European best over 200m butter-

weapons was emphatically reinforced account and a bronze with the French her French rival know that company is are those who are leading the way in fly, a traumatic 2.20% after Phelps’s

1. HARDY Jessica USA 30.63

by a Melbourne result sheet that 4x200m freestyle quartet. not far behind. 5. SCHAFER Janne GER 31.35 world waters with the verve of certain stunning 1:52.09.



6 LEN

Magazine

SPOTLIGHT

So where is the war being lost? Top of









Medals

the list: skills. Take the 400m medley in

which Michael Phelps set a stunning

world record of 4:06.22. Invincible,

beyond anything else in the race? Well,

yes, and no. Someone, for example,

may wish to provide Italy’s Luca Marin

with a crash course in butterfly. A Phelps

v Marin comparison reveals: fastest on

The relays were telling too, the United butterfly, Phelps (by a lethal 4.55sec);

States a world away in all three events on backstroke, Marin (by 0.90sec on

(even the medley B team that was dis- 1:02.23); on breaststroke, Marin (by

qualified in morning heats would have 0.02sec on 1:11.13); and on freestyle,

won the final) among men. And while Phelps (by just 0.03sec on 56.89).

Statistics about the past 11 years show that in terms of medals Europe is the most successful

Europe’s woman are faring better over- continent. An aggregated table of gold, silver and bronze medals shows that in previous decades

all in world waters than their male the swimmers under the supervision of LEN produced a very good average. In Sydney and Phelps, of course, is extraordinary – but

counterparts, no nation managed to Montreal the American continent outdid Europe by one medal, in the other world competitions only because he does extraordinary

do what German women achieved Europe was ahead of the field. The high point in this respect was the Fukuoka World Cham- things to race a step ahead of his rivals.

pionships, where Europeans collected more medals than the other continents put together. Australian Bill Sweetenham, now head

back in Budapest last summer: fire on

all four cylinders on the same day. coach to Britain and, as a former coach

Gold medals









to 1978-2005 world-championship

If the freestyle quartets of Germany, 400m freestyle record holder Tracy

France and Britain remain competitive Wickham no stranger to generation-

with Australia and the USA, then the busting performances, noted: “Dolphin

medley foursomes have a mountain to now has to be considered the fifth

climb: 2.4% is now the difference be- stroke. I think swimming has moved into

tween Germany and Australia at their a new era, a new level. It will challenge

best. Astonishing. And in the Melbourne all coaches and swimmers around the

final, Britain stayed ahead of the world. We will all respond. We’ve seen

European pack it led back in Budapest, things we wouldn’t normally expect to

see. It’s great for swimming and leaves Golden rush

but finished fourth on a time 6.44sec

a great challenge for all of us.” – Michael Phepls won more

behind the Dolphins.

gold medals than the

A snapshot of history tells us that

There was no finer protagonist of por- Europeans together

Europe made a slight improvement on If we only take into account the gold medals and disregard other medals, the USA is now rul-

Montreal 2005 but lags by significant ing the world tournaments. In Melbourne, more than anywhere else, the USA was ahead of the poise than Phelps, a model of prac-

levels the rate of success achieved in pack. Swimmers of the USA won in twenty out of forty events. Oceania (which in effect means tice-makes-perfect: out of every start,

Australians) came in second with 9 gold medals, while Europe only took 6 gold medals. In the undulating into every turn, out of every

Fukuoka 2001 (when men enjoyed period since 1996 Europe was top in terms of gold medals on two occasions: the World

46.6% of all medals and 47.5% of all Championships of 2001 and 2003. turn, like a tightly coiled spring he

places in finals; and women enjoyed snapped into a whipping motion

55% of all medals and took 51.3% of designed to emulate the propulsion of

all places in finals). the fastest mammal in the ocean.

European medals and places in the finals

AY / REUTERS

The Italian job Photo: DAVID GR

Event Men Women Cum

– Federica Pellegrini set

a new WR in 200m free in 1998, Perth, WC 4-10-8 3-6-4 7-16-12 SVEN FOLVIK The appliance of science is at work in 4x200m freestyle. Did the US do

the semis and got the 22/48 (45.8%) 13/48 (27%) 35/96 (36.5%) LEN Secretary

62/128 (52.3%) 52/128 (48.4%) 114/256 (44.5%)

Team USA. Dr Rajat Mittal and 10 something extraordinary on the way to

bronze in the final researchers into fluid dynamics at the world record? No, they simply did

2000, Sydney, OG 6-3-7 8-8-4 14-11-11 George Washington University, asked what they were capable of doing – all

16/48 (33%) 20/48 (41.7%) 36/96 (37.5%) USA Swimming as far back as 2003 to four of them – while the next four teams

67/128 (52.3%) 56/128 (43.8%) 123/256 (48.0%) March is collaborate on a research project home clocked times that suggested an

2001, Fukuoka, WC 5-13-10 11-12-10 16-25-20 not for linked to his work for the US Navy on average of four seconds had been lost

28/60 (46.6%) 33/60(55%) 61/120 (50.8%) marching how fish swim. The three-year project from potential. It was what Germany

76/160 (47.5%) 82/160(51.3%) 158/320 (49.4%)

analysed the fluid dynamics of the dol- was able to do in Budapest but could

2003, Barcelona, WC 5-11-10 13-8-8 18-19-18 “Many experts are of the view that phin kick and concluded that mimick- not replicate in Melbourne.

26/60 (43.3%) 29/60(48.3%) 55/120 (45.8%) March is an inconvenient time for ing a dolphin underwater is more effi-

87/160(54.3%) 87/160(54.3%) 174/320 (54.3%) Europeans. In 1998 in Perth the USA cient speed-wise than travelling at the Orjan Madsen, head coach to Germany,

2004, Athens, OG 1-7-7 6-7-7 7-14-14 team also did very well. The Ame- surface using traditional swimming alluded to the lack of mental strength,

15/48 (31.2%) 20/48 (41.7%) 35/96 (36.5%) rican continent won 15 gold medals, strokes. The specific movement re- lack of confidence and self-belief in his

63/128 (49.2%) 65/128 (50.7%) 128/256 (50.0%) in which the USA took 14 gold quired for maximum benefit is now part team outside European competition. It

2005, Montreal, WC 5-6-8 3-8-6 8-14-14 medals, and Europeans won 7 gold of daily practice for the likes of Phelps, is not a German problem, more a

19/60 (31.7%) 17/60 (26.6%) 36/120 (30.0%) medals,” says LEN Secretary Sven Natalie Coughlin and Co. European and Asian one. A little like

81/160 (50.6%) 66/160 (41.2%) 147/320 (45.9%) Folvik. “For the USA team and for the half-empty and half-full glass, it

2007, Melbourne, WC 3-5-12 3-11-8 6-16-20

the Australians spring is an ideal But skill is not the only advantage that depends on your approach to the bar-

20/60 (33.3%) 22/60 (36.6%) 42/120 (35%) swimming season, when they are Europe lacks. There is also courage rier in front of you: where so much of

76/160 (47.5%) 71/160 (44.3%) 147/320 (45.9%) capable of top performance.” and planning. Take the women’s the rest of the world wilts in Phelps’s



8 LEN Foto: DAVID CALLOW / Reuters

Magazine

SPOTLIGHT

“Because we had been together for









European medal count

such a long time, since he was 11

years old, we’ve actually been able to

map out his career and plan over a

decade what might be the best way to

get to the position that he’s in today,”

said Bowman. “It’s not what he did this

year, its what he did many years

before that, sort of adding up to what

presence, Americans – take Lochte as he’s doing now.

an example – try to feed off it. Instead “We were very careful with him in the

of saying “he’s inhuman”, they say very early stages of his elite career.

“he’s only human and if he can do it, so Before he made the US Olympic team

can we”. (2000), he had done six weeks of double

The height of the prisms well indicates that Europe is about to return to its old form, getting practices .. . We were very judicious and

more and more medals. However, the number of the titles is the least since the Atlanta Games,

Mark Schubert, head USA coach, added things very slowly. We added

which should be a warning sign. We can also assess that competing at the beginning of the year

revealed in Melbourne that he regular- is a disadvantage for Europe: in Perth, 1998, the old continent collected almost the same low strength training over the past year and

ly uses Phelps and his coach Bob number of gold and silver medals (though we had 12 fewer events in those championships). we’ve seen the benefits of that here.”

Bowman to make sure that standards

rise across the whole country. The Individually different medley swim team. Those representing the

Difference on the Top Development of WRs and 100 m back – Phelps: WR, Cseh: ER, and 1.94 sec Dolphins objected when the United

“phenomenal” benchmark set by WR: 52.98. ER: 53.46. Difference: 0.89%

Phelps is there to “inspire other coach-

comparisons with ERs (in events between them in the 200m IM States entered talks with Europe to

es and swimmers”, says Schubert. Clocks never lie – that is why we are WR broken in Melbourne) 1968: 58.4 (Roland Matthes, GDR) develop an alternative duel in the pool.

offering an analysis of present records 1978: 55.49 (John Naber, USA) 4.98% Schubert added to that picture when he Little wonder: Australians understand

Men 1988: 54.91 (David Berkhoff, USA) 1.04%

It has been a long journey, too, one in the Olympic events. We compare the said: “It’s been a pleasure over the years well the value of racing head to head

1999: 53.60 (Larry Krayzelburg, USA) 2.38%

laden with patience and consistency. world and European records and show 200 m fly 2007: 52.98 (Aaron Peirsol, USA) 1.15% watching him succeed, watching him with Americans. Never has than been

WR: 1:52.09. ER: 1:54.62. Difference: 2.20% more pertinent than it is now.

There is no “from season-to-season” the development of the performers over progress, but most especially watching

approach with Bowman. It is a question the past forty years. Figures that reflect 1968: 2:05.7 (Mark Spitz, USA) Women him prepare. Bob does a spectacular Europe should press flesh with

of one long and winding road potted by on progress during periods of ten years 1978: 1:59.23 (Michael Bruner, USA) 5.14% job and Michael does a spectacular job Americans once more and get the deal

1988: 1:56.24 (Michael Gross, GER) 2.50% 4x100m medley sealed. Beyond the aggressive race

goals that lead to a goal beyond the indicate that development is picking up

WR: 3:55.74. ER: 4:01.54. Difference: 2.40%

doing what Bob asks him to do – and

1998: 1:55.22 (Denis Pankratov, RUS) 0.87% experience to be gained, the event

wildest dreams of Phelps’s rivals. speed, especially in events where 2007: 1:52.09 (Michael Phelps, USA) 2.71% Bob really challenges him. Michael is a

Michael Phelps is reigning. 1968: 4:28.1 (USA) very big talent who earns everything he would be prime-time material: United

The (former) best swimmers of Europe 200 m IM 1978: 4:07.95 (GDR) 7.51% gets through hard work.” States of America V United Nations of

WR: 1:54.98. ER: 1:56.92. Difference: 1.65% 1988: 4:03.69 (GDR) 1.71% Europe with all their strengths brought

have retained their old positions chiefly 1998: 4:01.67 (CHN) 0.82%

in the sprint events. Both among 1968: 2:10.6 (Charles Hickcox, USA) 2007: 3:55.74 (AUS) 2.45% The nervous wobbles suffered by so together under a common flag.

women and men the records of the 1978: 2:03.65 (Graham Smith, CAN) 5.32% many around him in Melbourne can be

1988: 2:00.17 (Tamas Darnyi, HUN) 2.81% 100m back Men’s 4x100m freestyle world record?

stars of around the year 2000 are still

1998: 1:58.16 (Jani Sievinen, FIN) 1.67% WR: 59.44. ER: 1:00.21. Difference: 1.27% avoided by taking the Bowman-Phelps

unsurpassed. Records of Alexander 2007: 1:54.98 (Michael Phelps, USA) 2.69% route, according to several head Shattered. Women’s 4x200m freestyle

Popov and Pieter van den Hoogen- 1968: 1:06.2 (Kaye Hall, USA) coaches in Melbourne. Bowman world record? Annihilated. They may

band (men) and that of Inge de Bruijn 200 m free 1978: 1:01.51 (Ulrike Richter, GDR) 7.08% spelled out the pathway to success in not count officially but it would be a thrill

WR: 1:43.86. ER: 1:44.89. Difference: 0.98% 1988: 1:00.59 (Ina Kleber, GDR) 1.49% and a half to watch the races unfold.

have remained unbroken over the past 1998: 1:00.16 (He Cihong, CHN) 0.70% the following way: “He (Phelps) has

five years. 1968: 1:54.3 (Donald Schollander, USA) 2007: 59.44 (Natalie Coughlin, USA) 1.19% specific time goals in his events. Once

In other swimming events – especially 1978: 1:50.29 (Bruce Furniss, USA) 3.50% you have those in place, then you can by CRAIG LORD

1988: 1:47.25 (Duncan Armstrong, AUS) 2.75% 4x200m free (swimming writer,

in the 200 m events – development has 1999: 1:46.67 (Grant Hackett, AUS) 0.54% WR: 7:50.09. ER: 7:50.82. Difference: 0.11% set goals for training and things you

picked up speed. During the 1970s 2007: 1:43.86 (Michael Phelps, USA) 2.63% want to mentally prepare for and have The Times)

almost 7% was cut from records of the 1968: not held a roadmap to success. And I think the

400 m IM 1978: not held

late 1960s. During the 1980s and

1988: 7:55.47 (GDR)

next step is to refocus, to reset the

WR: 4:06.22. ER: 4:09.63. Difference: 1.36%

1990s records outdid those of the 1998: 7:55.47 (GDR) - goals and try to climb one notch high-

1970s only between 0.6 and 1.5%. In 1968: 4:39.0 (Charles Hickcox, USA) 2007: 7:50.09 (USA) 1.13% er on the ladder. That’s what he’s the

the first decade of the 21st century 1978: 4:20.05 (Jesse Vassallo, USA) 6.79% best at: he’s able to take a perfor-

1988: 4:14.75 (Tamas Darnyi, HUN) 2.03% 200m free

records have outdone those of the 1998: 4:12.30 (Tom Dolan, USA) 0.96% WR: 1:55.52. ER: 1:55.52. Difference: - mance, enjoy it, see what the next step

1990s at a higher rate again. Look at 2007: 4:06.22 (Michael Phelps, USA) 2.41% is, come up with a plan to get there,

the events where Michael Phelps is 1968: 2:06.7 (Deborah Meyer, USA) and then work very hard to do that.”

4x200m free 1978: 1:58.53 (Cynthia Woodhead, USA) 6.44%

king (the 200 m events): records are 1988: 1:57.55 (Heike Friedrich, GDR) 0.82% That Europe’s results were

WR: 7:03.24. ER: 7:09.60. Difference: 1.48%

better than those of 1998 by at least 1998: 1:56.78 (Fran. van Almsick, GER) 0.65% Like Manaudou, he also has passion relatively weaker was partly

2.6%. 1968: 7:52.1 (USA) 2007: 1:55.52 (Laure Manaudou, FRA) 1.07% running through his veins. Regardless

1978: 7:20.82 (USA) 6.62% because the traditional

Among men the world record is held by of skills, courage, practice and all else

1988: 7:12.51 (USA) 1.88% 400m IM swimming Great Powers were

a European in two events, among 1998: 7:11.86 (Australia) 0.15% WR: 4:32.89. ER: 4:33.59. Difference: 0.26% that goes into making champions, one

women in seven events. European 2007: 7:03.24 (USA) 1.99% old philosophy remains as important in a somewhat poor shape. In

swimming needs to be renewed if a 1968: 5:04.7 (Claudia Kolb, USA) now as it ever did. As Sweetenham put Melbourne the Germans

4x100m free 1978: 4:40.83 (Tracey Caulkins, USA) 7.83%

higher number of European swimmers WR: 3:12.46. ER: 3:14.06. Difference: 0.82% 1988: 4:36.10 (Petra Schneider, GDR) 1.68% it: “We are nowhere near our limitations conspicuously underdid their

aspire to make it to the top of those 1998: 4:34.79 (Chen Yan, CHN) 0.47% ... it’s not the size of the dog in the fight

2007: 4:32.89 (Katie Hoff, USA) 0.69%

showing at last year’s Budapest

lists. 1968: 3:31.7 (USA) but the size of the fight in the dog.”

Fast lane 1978: 3:19.74 (USA) 5.64% European Championships.

1988: 3:16.53 (USA) 1.60% On the next pages

– Stefan Nystrand was the best 1998: 3:15.11 (USA) 0.72% His native Australia is a case in point:

European in 50m free 2007: 3:12.46 (USA) 1.35% 20 million people and a phenomenal we try to find out why.



LEN 11

Magazine

A N A LY S I S





6 4 2 Budapest 2006 Melbourne 2007 0 3 1





Germany: Looking

Wavering achievements

– Britte Steffen couldn’t repreat

her magic of 2006









for the Rebound

Just six months ahead of “There is no point in trying to find tries such as the USA. Speaking dur-

FINA’s most prestigious excuses. Upon returning home we will ing a German national tournament held

have to work even harder.” right after Melbourne, he gave some

competition, in August 2006, in The training regime Madsen had figures: “In the USA, the National Olym-

the 50-m pool of the Budapest applied didn’t yield the expected pic Committee pays the equivalent of

European Swimming results. There is no immediate answer some 1750 euros monthly to about

Championships, which was to the question why the German men’s forty swimmers. Athletes who get that

LEN’s most prestigious medley relay team (silver medallists in much each month can focus solely on

competition, Germany the Athens Olympics) were so far from becoming world class swimmers.“

even qualifying for the finals. As Madsen is determined to go his own

dominated the field. Its 6 gold Madsen put it: “We were way behind way, though his charted route is not

medals, 4 silver medals, 2 our own expectations.” always the simplest, as was seen in

bronze medals and 3 world Melbourne. “The changes that are

records need no comment. Not even a closer look at the way the needed must be followed through,” he

How come that Germany, German team works helps to under- training routines. “High-altitude training avoid things that might prevent him or declared. In Beijing in sixteen months’

stand possible causes of the fiasco. camps are nothing more than a symbol her from reaching the world standard. time we will see whether or not his fel-

Europe’s swimming power- Madsen, Ralf Beckmann’s successor, of optimum conditions,” he said. low officials and the German swimmers

house, could only take three transformed the training regime of the When he took up the post in March he Madsen wants to learn fast and what he have had the stamina to follow his path.

silver medals and one bronze Down and under – Örjan Madsen, elite swimmers. In both 2007 and 2008 said that on the road to Beijing the has learnt he wants to implement as

medal in Melbourne? What head-coach of Germany the best swimmers will spend 170 days German team must at all times mea- quickly as possible. Even before leaving by DIETMAR

explains its poor performance? in training camps, whilst the second half sure itself against world standards. Melbourne for Germany he announced FUCHS

“I expect both the team and its mem- of this time will be set aside for secret Speaking after the poor results in he intended to step up cooperation with (swimming

This is what we have asked

bers to develop individually,” said the training sessions and regeneration exer- Australia, he reiterated that creed and the immensely successful USA team. writer, dpa)

from a highly respected original Norwegian (61) at his inaugu- cises. Indeed, time spent in training plans a greater number of, and better, Incidentally, the head coach of the USA

German swimming writer, ration in March 2006. The Melbourne camps at high altitude is the focus of training sessions. team, Mark

Dietmar Fuchs. World Championships was the litmus Madsen’s vision, but he is ready to com- “Team members

“There is no point in trying to find

Schubert, is an old

test of his work, and this is what he said promise: the best swimmers are allowed have to be totally friend of his and

excuses. Upon returning home we will

at the end of the Melbourne event: to make individual modifications in their dedicated to the two of them

have to work even harder.”

Germany did well at the European achieve change,” have devised

Swimming Championships in Buda- he said. He some joint action.

German medal count









pest last year, so they had good reason referred, in the first place, to the mental When German swimmers attend a train-

to be optimistic about the World preparation of the swimmers. Britta ing camp this summer at Flagstaff in

Championships. German swimmers Steffan is the best illustration of that Arizona, they will probably take part in

collected six gold medals in Budapest, approach, for it was with the help of a some contests in the USA. What’s more, The toast of the Budapest EC

with Britta Steffen and the freestyle psychologist that she unleashed the German trainers will get the chance to last year, world record holder

relay team breaking world records. latent strengths that had been within. gather first-hand impressions on how Britte Steffen had a huge

Head coach Örjan Madsen even ex- their American counterparts work.

chance for a gold medal in

pected his team to outdo their Montreal Madsen says, “the ball is in the swim-

2005 performances and exceed the mers’ court now!” They have to make Madsen is of the view that there are Melbourne but she only finished

number of finalists and medals. But up their minds whether or not they are also external circumstances to be con- third. But in the men’s 100 m

what happened instead was that Ger- up to making the “long march” to sidered why countries such as China freestyle Italy’s Filippo Magnini

many slipped back into the ‘B’ team Beijing. He has some doubts about the and Russia took more medals at the retained his crown. Since the

category. They brought home three sil- men’s commitment. Not that they have FINA World Championships than

It is not the first time that the German results are on a roller coaster. The high point was

2005 Montreal World

ver and one bronze medal from Mel- not pledged their determination, but only Germany. As long as German swim-

bourne - the poorest German perfor- between 2001 and 2003. Between two World Championships, where they did well, in the 2002 time will show if their preparatory work mers have to split their time between Championships he has won at

Berlin European Championships they collected 22 medals, including 10 gold. By comparison, each of the major contests,

mance at world swimming champi- their Athens performance was a setback: they won 3 bronze medals in 48 events. In a similar will be effective enough. Madsen is con- training and study (or work), they can-

onships since reunification. manner the 12 medals they bagged in Budapest were followed by just 4 in Melbourne. vinced that each team member must not keep pace with swimmers of coun- including the Short Course ECs.



12 LEN LEN 13

Magazine Magazine

ONE ON ONE









Good start, golden goal









Tsar Magno

– Magnini won every

major races in 100m

since 2005, now he is

targeting the

Olympic triumph







He is the new Sprint ’Tsar’ born European titles (in both short and long aware of the magnitude of the feat he

in Pesaro, hometown of course, and the European record in had just achieved. Maybe he didn’t

the 25m pool) plus two consecutive even know what it would mean to win

composer Gioacchino Rossini World Championship titles, there is no gold for the second time in the 100

Filippo Magnini doesn’t have doubt who is the boss in the main metre freestyle, the race of races. In Ja-

the Russian heritage of a Tsar, event: Magnini, obviously! Now, he’s nuary he had said: „If I win gold again,

but he has the credentials. only missing Olympic gold for the I don’t know what might happen!” The

Grand Slam which so few have heights reached by the sprinter have

Magnini’s greatest moment in Mel- achieved in swimming history (in Italy, not yet been rightly valued: the only

bourne came after the 100m free’ final Rosolino in the 200 IM). In Melbourne, sure thing is that this swimmer trained

when both Filippo and Canadian Brent Melbourne became the first Italian to by Claudio Rossetto (himself two-time

Hayden saluted the crowd as they renew the title. Champion of the World) never misses

came out of the water after their tied an opportunity when it counts. He is still

victory. At the medal ceremony Alex Back from Australia, ‘Superpippo’ the closest (48”12 is the second fastest

Popov – the original Tsar – chose declared: „I’m well aware that I’m one 100 of all time) to the only man able to

Magnini as his successor when pre- of the strongest 100 meter swimmers swim 100m free in under 48”, the

senting him with his gold medal. So of all time.” He’s the normal guy that Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogen-

there you go, the new nickname: Tsar does special things; he left the Rod band, who once again ‘can’t get no

Magno. After all, with two consecutive Laver Arena so calmly, almost un- satisfaction’ from his second confron-

tation with Magnini in the 100 at last

Lively finish, dead heat year’s championships in Budapest.

– this time Pippo

shared the top of the How did you feel in Melbourne?

podium with Canadien

Brent Hayden „There were feelings of surprise: and

different emotions. To repeat is some- RATTAY / REUTER

S

thing impressive, l know this well: but I Photo: WOLFGANG

haven’t yet realised how much it’s

worth, how big it is to hear the Italian to defeat him after three years of domi- be an exciting season that’ll end this identify with Magnini, will want to

anthem played once again. Me, a hero nance. „Yes, the thought they all want Summer and then start again on the become World champions, or even

from both worlds? I was afraid, afraid to push me off the throne gives me an road to Beijing. It’s all so beautiful!” two-time World champions: “And this

not to make it because in March I enormous and stimulating charge. They Before the 100m he was the most appreciation is the most beautiful

always have trouble with the weather, all think: »Magnini, it’s time to lose». snubbed of champions, by rivals such thing, it pushes you to always do your

and at Melbourne it Well then: if the others are there waiting as Schoeman, Burnett or Lezak, yet best. I’ve even given joy to Italians.”

„I’m well aware that I’m one was constantly chang- for me that excites me even more, this now he is the most envied: this is what

of the strongest 100 meter swimmers ing: believe me, that is the most riveting challenge.” Magnini carries with him in his heart

of all time.” 48”4 is worth a lot con- since leaving Australia. The next World

sidering how I felt.” Looking at Beijing, how will you handle Championships will be in Rome, and by STEFANO

the fact that you are the man to beat? whatever happens at the Olympics, he ARCOBELLI

What has this meant for you? What will will be the reigning champion, some- (swimming

it mean for the future? „Training harder, very seriously, as one whose moves are spotlighted writer, Gazzetta

always: these years «fame» hasn’t dis- around the pool. „When I’m on the dello Sport)

„This gold adds confidence to confi- tracted me, it hasn’t made me lose blocks all this responsibility is with me,

dence, it makes me understand how to sight of my main goal. Now the task at all those who work with me are up

live through the tension of these mo- hand will be even greater.“ there with me. I am never alone when I

ments and that’s very important looking Superpippo is also called upon to take win.” Who knows how many kids who

towards the Olympics” Where all will try the Italian relays to the Olympics. „It’ll go to swimming pools these days will



14 LEN

Magazine

O U T O F T H E WAT E R

Outstanding results are always Was it a timed explosion? A: The only certainty I initially had

followed by merry celebrations about the Thorpe case was that in May

but then, for mysterious reasons, 2006 he underwent a doping test,

voices of doubt are heard. More L’Equipe is the ultimate source for dop- which produced abnormally high lev-

ing matters. The French paper is well- els of testosterone and luteinizing hor-

often than not, such doubts prove

informed and not afraid of exposing mone (LH). FINA, the Australian Sports

to be unfounded. Just like so

any case even including top class ath- Anti-Doping Authority and Ian Thorpe

many other aquatic tournaments, letes. In this spring they wrote about himself have confirmed that informa-

the Melbourne World the Thorpe-affair and brought the tion. I had another piece of informa-

Championships became a jubilant Mellouli-case into spotlight. We talked tion: the Australian Sports Anti-Doping

festival of swimming for none of to Damien Ressiot, L’Équipe staff writer, Authority procrastinated in taking that

the 393 doping tests were positive. who exposed the Thorpe case. dossier seriously, and FINA appealed

Why then do we hear gossip now that procedure at the Court of

and then? It has been openly Q: Why do we need to read L’Équipe Arbitration for Sport (CAS). CAS has

to learn about doping cases in swim- confirmed the information. Presently,

asked why blood doping tests

ming? Is not it regretful that the source we are waiting for a decision by CAS

were absent from these of such information is not the compe- because they will resolve whether or

Championships. To add insult to tent authority? not the swimmer is innocent.

injury the internationally renowned A: To start with, I have never stated Q: Was the publication of the Thorpe

French sports daily L’Équipe pub- that Ian Thorpe cheated or used a case timed to the Melbourne World

lished a shocking article about dope. What the article published in our Championships?

Ian Thorpe, the celebrated daily says is that we informed our A: The article came out during the

champion of the host country. readers that the Court of Arbitration for World Championships because that is

Sport (CAS) had been requested to try when my investigation was concluded.

That was the only

to resolve a controversy between FINA Besides, the leaders of the swimming

doping-related piece of and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping world treated me in a rather uncivilized

news during the Authority (ASADA). That controversy manner, they insulted me in the pres-

Melbourne event, however, it affected Ian Thorpe because FINA ence of my colleagues, and said that

caused a public outcry. Even the was dissatisfied with certain test Thorpe in his prime - now everybody is what I did was sabotage. Just like the

Australian Prime Minister joined in results it received from the Australian waiting for the decision of the CAS cyclists, they should have had the

defending their national hero. authorities. The World Anti-Doping strength to face up to reality and retain

Thorpe denied all accusations. Code (WADC) allows FINA to appeal cooperative enough, the World Anti- their composure. They should work out

such a case. Consequently, the doping Agency may immediately refer an anti-doping strategy and protect

The Magazine interviewed the

Australian Sports Anti-Doping the case to the Court of Arbitration for aquatic sports rather than getting

staff writer of L’Equipe who

Authority had no other option but to Sport. L’Équipe has the duty to keep paranoid and angry with me.

exposed the case about his work- reopen the scrutiny to find out whether its readers informed on what it learns Q: How clean in your view swimming

ing methods and about the evi- or not the unusual levels of testos- about doping cases. It was certainly is? Is it just like other sports?

dence he may have. terone and luteinizing hormone (LH) worthwhile to bring the Thorpe case A: I see no objective cause for the

violated anti-doping rules, or was into the light. scourge of doping to avoid swimming.







No doping, just cases

attributable merely to the swimmer’s Q: How can L’Équipe be so well Each and every sport is affected by it;

weaker physical state. Antidoping cul- informed about doping cases? and there are numerous products

ture is absent in Australia and that is A: Since the ill-famed Tour de France nowadays that tempt to doping. Since

why the local press – and unfortunate- race of 1998, the Festina case, the Thorpe case came out we have

ly local experts L’Équipe has made had the Mellouli case: the swimmer

This opinion is not shared by the too – mistook an it clear that it will who won two gold medals in Melbourne

The Thorpe affair International Swimming Federation

„The article came out during the

yet produced a positive test (ampheta-

anomaly for dop- World Championships because that is use all means at its

(FINA), which has appealed to the ing. For the time disposal to com- mine) at the US Open. If the leaders of

when my investigation was concluded.”

Here is a short excerpt from L’Équipe: Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in being, Thorpe is bat doping and FINA act and think with full responsibil-

The Australian swimmer, Ian Thorpe, an effort to reopen the Ian Thorpe file. held innocent, he grant maximum ity, they will lose no time in working out

24, currently retired, took a dope test has not been found using dope, nei- attention to such cases. Besides, we an action plan to roll back doping and

in 2006 which revealed abnormally If the tribunal accedes to this request it ther has he produced a positive dop- are not the only press organization to expose cheats. By the way, there were

high readings for testosterone and will obviously create a certain malaise ing test. He should have been inf- do so. The management of L’Équipe not any tests for blood doping during

luteinizing hormone (LH), both prod- around the fantastic and emblematic ormed about that a long time ago, and has decided to arrange special train- the World Championships – which I

ucts figuring on the list of banned sub- Australian champion. But the initial sus- he should have been informed of the ing for certain staff members. For a consider to be a grave mistake.

stances. Thorpe won five Olympic picions generated by these findings, results of his tests. Consequently, if year I attended a course where I stud-

gold medals, collected eleven World however troubling they may appear, there is anyone to be blamed, it is the ied the legal, regulatory and scientific

Championship titles, and set twenty- could turn out to be inconsequential. Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. aspects of doping. Most of my working

three world records. Given current knowledge there is no Coming back to your question: unless time is taken by processing such Although the Australian star

real scientific means available for we are witnessing a Machiavellian cases. That is how I could build a Ian Thorpe retired,

After conducting an inquiry into pushing the case any further. Unless, plot, nowadays no national association global network of contacts that helps his name was often mentioned

Thorpe’s dossier and after further that is, the FINA his holding other evi- can hide the results of tests like that. my day-to-day work. during the World

analyses, the Australian Sport Anti- dence or test results on Thorpe. Each accredited laboratory must hand Q: Are you in possession of evidence

Doping Authority (ASADA) decided to

Championships. Alongside the

over its findings to the World Anti- for the Thorpe case or do you base

close the file, considering there was no Torpedoing his fame doping Agency (WADA), so WADA is your argument on reliable sources? phenomenal success of the

conclusive scientific evidence on – L’Equipe’s article (above) in possession of all such information. Are not you concerned about possible USA team, he became a topic of

which to proceed. about Thorpe caused a storm In case a national association is not legal consequences? conversation.

16 LEN LEN 17

Magazine Magazine

O U T O F T H E WAT E R



Melbourne: as clean as it was Another coach said: “European

nations need to realise that they can

no longer get away with preparing

Turning to the present, we bloodtests? After these questions are from season to season. Swimming is

should be delighted that in answered, mysterious darkness will now a sport in which you have to set

give way to transparency.” your goals very high and work towards

Melbourne no competitor was them slowly over a period of 6, 7, 8

caught using prohibited sub- Örjan Madsen, head coach of the and more years.”

stances. And no bloodtests for German swimming national team has

doping were carried. There not changed his earlier position and A well-known European expert also

were numerous astounding re- called on WADA to “put the urine and shared his view with the Magazine.

blood samples in cold storage so that “Nothing can be said against a super-

sults, and one country

they could be retrieved at any time in power – while the Eastern Europeans

dominated the field in a way the future when new techniques of are free targets for criticism? After

that has not been seen for a analysis become available.” Sydney, harsh criticism of Massimilano

long time. At least since 1994, Rosolino could be heard. But now, even

when the Chinese women A well-known senior coach from one if somebody is astounded by the

Lacking a clear view

dominated the field just like the European country said: “It’s not that I momentous progress, are we only

– swimming needs more transparency

think the US is using doping, it’s just allowed to applaud?

East Germans before. that if a European swimmer, say a True, none of the doping controls have

have been tested just once in 18

German or someone from Ukraine, had months, while rivals are tested 10-20 produced any suspicious results in

This is how European experts and

performed like Michael Phelps, I’m times by national and international Melbourne. But does that really mean the case of skiers, for instance, it has those using drugs are always ahead of

swimming journalists commented on

almost sure that some US coaches agencies. That has to change for us to that the World Championships were been the practice for quite some time the doping controllers in inventing new

the developments:

and certainly Australians would have believe that the testing programme is really clean? to take both urine and blood samples. techniques. Indeed, doping controllers

“To start with, at the Rome World

accused them of using doping. We consistent.” The efficiency of doping controls As for the efficiency of doping con- should adjust faster to a changing

Championships in 1994, none of the

have to be aware that doping is a depends on several circumstances. In trols, it is common knowledge that world.”

Chinese participants were caught –

worldwide problem and that access to A leading head coach added: “I don’t

said László Kiss, Hungarian head

substances that are illegal in sport are think we were looking at doping use by

coach, trainer of five times Olympic

widely available, the US in Mel-

champion Krisztina Egerszegi. - Only

no more so than in bourne. There

Our expert writers’ comments Warnatzsch are wide open for this. I

two months later almost the whole team „Some swimmers ranked very highly

the United States. have been tested just once were many factors think that all the anti-doping agencies

produced positive samples during the

The drug-testing in 18 months, that influenced Craig Lord, advantage.” Indeed. In not telling me, should increase the number of out of

Asian Games. No one knows how that

programme is not while rivals are tested 10-20 times.”

2 those results. The g

swimming writer, The Times understandable as it was, he lost competition controls - of course there

could have happened. Two years after

consistent around 2004 and 2005 The dark chapters of the GDR and transparency. is the matter of financing this.

Rome, the Chinese won one gold

the world. Some major meets were China, along with cheating by others And so we return to the question of Germany does “complete” tests.

medal instead of fourteen. Now that

coaches I talk to may know when the outdoors in poor weather conditions. around the world and the continued advantage. Like the suit, does any- I would also guess that there is no

L’Équipe has reported a positive dope

out-of-competition agents are about to Melbourne was the first world meet in presence at the margins of swimming thing more than a healthy balanced nationwide doping in China. The

test on Oussama Mellouli (Tunisia), why

appear. That should not be the case. four years that had controlled condi- of doctors and sports scientists with diet constitute unfair advantage? results from Melbourne were very poor

have the authorities remained silent

Some swimmers ranked very highly tions. Many of the events in which we deeply dubious pasts, will haunt swim- Where is the line to be drawn between for a country which is host of the forth-

about it? As far as Melbourne is con-

saw a leap in standards in Melbourne ming for some time to come, every elements internal and external to the coming Olympic Games.

cerned, why was it made public only at

were queuing up for a drop in times. time, indeed, great times are recorded. swimmer’s body? Some will find such

the last minute, when there were no

There was also the 3-metre deep pool In the Cold-War atmosphere of the discussions unpalatable. So be it. I refer B

Jean-Baptiste Renet,

to take into account, and the swim- 1970s and 1980s, the United States, them back to the 1970s and 1980s: if g

swimming writer, L'Equipeu

friendly crowd.” along with others, understandably more coaches, more journalists, more We don't think that swimming is totally

learned to exploit men in blazers, clean. If that was the case, nobody

every possible Then why not tell me everything more everyone had would have had a positive drug test.

avenue to combat you know? “If I told you that, been a little more Most of the sports are nowadays

cheating shy of we’d lose our advantage.” ready to ask ques- touched by doping, so it's very unlike-

cheating them- tions that some will ly swimming to be definitely clean. But

selves. Covertness was the order of the look upon as an unnecessary nui- if you want to understand why so many

day. To some extent, that attitude pre- sance, so much poison could have world records have been broken in

vails. I recall a US team doctor explain- been poured down the sink rather than Melbourne, you also have to know that

ing to me why some swimmers were swallowed with a dose of defeatism. swimming is still improving, particular-

being prescribed up to 45 pills a day ly on the technical plan, and that swim-

while on holding camp with the squad Dietmar Fuchs, mers prepare all the year long for only

leading up to the Olympic Games. g

swimming writer, DPA news agency one very big meet, instead of a lot of

There were vitamins and amino-acids I do not think that there is “global” dop- meetings for track and field.

and a variety of perfectly legal sub- ing in the US swimming. I guess the Regarding the American superiority,

stances, most of which (if not all) avail- US swimmers are just better at swim we do think that their swimmers are so

able at the local health-food store. techniques than other countries. They much better. They have the biggest

Then there were things that the doctor are developing new techniques, for depth thanks to a great amount of

would not tell me about. He conclud- example in leg strokes. The German swimmers. They have a really good

ed: “It clearly gives us an advantage Swimming Federation is inviting all crit- system, based on the universities.

over our rivals”. Is it legal? “Sure it is.” ical media and anti-doping agencies They have excellent training methods,

Then why not tell me everything you to check as often as they can. Britta which explains their technical superi-

know? “If I told you that, we’d lose our Steffen and her coach, Norbert ority (starts, turns, underwater work...).



18 LEN LEN 19

Magazine Magazine

A F FA I R BEIJING 2008





Good morning!

case will help removing secrecy from David Davies (GBR),

similar violent – or for that matter, sex- Olympic bronze medallist

ual – irregularities when trainers or „My main work is done in the mornings,

sports officials misbehave to the cost so swimming finals in the morning will









Bad morning?

of young and defenceless girls. The be fine. Everyone is in the same boat.”

only message of this story is that this

case should not be simply forgotten, Liam Tancock (GBR),

which is so often the case in the east- World Championships bronze medallist







Beat

ern part of Europe… It should give „As I’m sure others will say, we are all

food for thought. That girl suffered a in the same boat and will all make the

lot. And some monsters should be Just like in all major previous swimming necessary changes. We have been

barred from swimming pools.” meets, the finals took place in the preparing for morning finals since the







of the moment

evening in Melbourne. But at the next announcement was made so it should

Psychologist Regards It Inadmissible world swimming event: the Olympic not be a problem.”

Games, the finals will be held in the

This is how one of the best sports psy- morning. As requested by NBC, the Responses vary but one thing is cer-

chologists of Central Europe, who assist- swimming finals will take place during tain: swimming is one of the chief

ed champions throughout several prime television viewing time in the attractions of any Olympic Games.

Olympic Games, commented upon this United States. What is prime time in the Small wonder then that NBC has

No doubt trainer and swimmer moments in this sport when in the case case. (The psychologist asked not to be US happens to be morning in Beijing. zeroed in on it. Swimming, perhaps

share the same trying lot in the of young swimmers a well-timed named.) “I entirely oppose corporal pun- So swimmers, figuratively speaking will more than any other sports, can be

struggle to shave split seconds whack on the head can yield the ishment even if it is common knowledge step out of bed onto the starting blocks decisive when it comes to the size

from results. Coach and swimmer desired the effect. Yes, I gave a slap in that the young competitors are different to race for the medals. advertising revenues, and it is swim-

the face to László in the beginning of in character – some take it seriously, oth- This is how outstanding European swim- ming that the biggest single slice of

usually undergo very similar spirit-

his career when he was about eleven. ers lightly. When an impatient trainer or a mers have commented the decision. the global viewing cake: the USA tele-

ual and even physical tribulations parent wants to see instant progress, he vision watchers would hate to miss

In that particular place and time that

in the course of their tough work. slap was important and effective, and or she resorts to spanking at times. In Anne Poleska (GER), seeing live. Because of the wide gap

Like Siamese twins, they are in it did not leave any emotional scar in some children that can cause serious Olympic bronze medallist in time zones, conventional competi-

the same shoes; now this, now me or in him. But we have to acknowl- spiritual harm and it can even be humili- „I am against the early starting times of tion schedules have thus become

much more adopted to higher physical

the other gives or receives edge that society and morals have ating. Although psychologists are told the finals. I think to me it is a disadvan- upset, which requires novel tech-

efforts at evening. I am completely

encouragement. The trainer can changed. We cannot act today in the that once in a lifetime a slap in the face, tage. In general the swimmers will have convinced that 99 percent of the swim-

niques in getting into shape. There is

choose from a rich array of meth- same way as in the past. Indeed, we if sufficiently motivated, can do a good bad conditions. I think there won’t be undeniably one net result though: the

mers think about it my way.”

ods along the road to steer his are not acting the way we did because service – I personally oppose that. True, that many records.” hassle has once again proved the

pupil’s way to success. Education we do not wish to cause any problems some athletes need a clearly negative value and prestige of swimming.

Mateusz Sawrymowicz (POL),

and training techniques are of key for our pupils or for ourselves. In fact, feedback before they can pull them- Thomas Rupprath (GER) silver medallist, World Champion

such punishment would not bring the selves together, but beating up should 50 m backstroke 2007 Worlds Contributors: Gerd Hayden, Leszek

importance to progress in this „In my opinion the morning finals at

desirable effect nowadays anyway.” never be the method to solve a problem. „I don’t mind because the conditions Scisly, Stephanie West

field. Against such background, Olympic Games in Beijing are total dis-

are the same for everyone. But it is grace, it is a real proof that everything

audiences in Melbourne were An Italian expert, who asked to remain Tennis Fathers easier to swim a world record in the can be bought if the price is high

shocked to witness that a anonymous, gave another interpreta- afternoon: statistics prove that it is easier

Ukrainian coach hit his pupil, who enough. I am absolutely against the

tion of the Zubkov case. The case of the Zubkovs is not confined to swim world records in the afternoon.” FINA decision.”

happened to be his daughter. “Zubkov’s case attracted keen atten- to swimming. Two ill-famed tennis dads

Security cameras recorded the tion; it was in the media for days. have hit the headlines over the past two Britta Steffen (GER), Kirsty Balfour (GBR),

scene, and the local security Eventually his daughter forgave him decades. The media “loved to hate” t

4-times European Champion u

European Champion

guards resolutely intervened. and did not press charges, but Zubkov Damir, the father of Jelena Dokic – a „I don’t bother at all because the con- „Swimming finals in the morning will be

So did FINA by revoking the was strictly reprimanded for his force- Serbian-born Austrialian, who later went ditions are the same for everyone.” a different experience, but everyone in

accreditation of the coach. ful methods. It is to be hoped that his back to Serbia – because of his scan-

the world is in the same position so I’m

dalous behaviour. Last year Jelena Laszlo Cseh (HUN),

One possible reading of the case sure it’ll be fine and people will adapt to

gave her old man one million dollars in World and European Champion

could be that it was nothing more the change. Not all meets hold finals in

a deal that had all the trappings of a „I couldn’t change it so I need to prepare

than a family mêlée. Or was it? the evening, so it is good preparation.”

divorce. In exchange for that “golden for it. I’m not happy at all to swim in the

handshake,” Damir promised to shun morning. It’s really bad that money

While quarrelling with his 18-year-old tennis courts where Jelena plays. decides everything and at the same Phelps says

daughter, the eight times Ukrainian As for Mary Pierce of France, once a time we, swimmers do not profit from

national champion Katerina, Mikhail winner of the Grand Slam tournament, this at all.” Michael Phelps is unfazed by the fact

Zubkov hit her. Security cameras for a time there was an exclusion order that finals in Beijing will be held in the

Photo: DAVID CALLOW / REUTERS









recorded the case; a scandal broke in force against his quite violent of a Przemyslaw Stañczyk (POL), morning.

out, and there was a court hearing. We dad, Jim. Besides, relations between silver medallist, World Championships “I have no preference,” said Phelps,

were curious what European observers father and daughter have become con- „I consider the morning finale as a very









Photo: REUTERS

who won six Olympic golds in 2004

think about this. solidated since. bed solution because everywhere and and targeting 7 in Beijing. “I’m going

“I oppose corporal punishment but I at all competitions finals take place to step up and swim as fast as I can

am sorry for stopping using the old Hall of shame during the evening session. Every- whether it’s morning or night. It’s the

methods altogether,” says György Turi, – Ukrainian coach, Mikhail Zubkov and his body got used to it and it is going to be Olympics; if you’re not ready to swim

coach of László Cseh, who is an daughter Katerina leave the courthouse in difficult to change it for morning finals. at that time, don’t come. Stay at

Olympic bronze medallist, a world and Melbourne; above: the shocking scenes Despite it, evening swimming is much home and watch TV.” Finals for breakfast

European champion. “There are behind the scenes more effective and human body is – Balfour likes it, Stanczyk (above) doesn’t



20 LEN LEN 21

Magazine Magazine

Croatia









LEN-family

The Croatian Water Polo Association

has a new chief sponsor: HEP, a large

state-owned electricity supply compa-

ny has signed a four-year agreement.

The Association’s budget badly needed







news

The European Swimming Federation has a major new sponsor because of a fine

51 member countries. Whilst news keeps imposed on Croatia in connection with

pouring in from around twenty of them, little is what happened in Kranj during the final

of the European Championships four

heard from the others. The LEN Magazine z

years ago. Now that a new sponsor is

wants to begin a forum for all Federations aboard and the men’s team are world

to join, we want to hear your intriguing news champions, brighter years are ahead.

and noteworthy developments, and so open

this section to your associations and Cyprus

swimming sports journalists of all disciplines. The Mediterranean Swimming Fede-

ration has decided to hold the 13th

COMEN Cup tournament in Larnaca,

Cyprus between 29 June and 1 July

Albania Azerbaijan cumstances do not always comply with 2007. A town of 72,000 residents,

The last time it participated in a major Azerbaijani water polo is not so devel- the official regulations for this as, Larnaca is in the south-eastern part of

swimming meet was the 2004 Olympic oped yet its best referee often partici- depending on the water level of the the island. The Swimming Association









Photo: REUTERS

Games, when two athletes represented pates at highly prestigious matches. Neretva River, divers fall some 30 of Cyprus has now passed a decision

the country. In Athens the Albanian del- LEN designated Mark Koganov to work metres before splashing into the water. about the venue of the competition of

egation consisted of nine persons, in during the Belgrade European Water Even to this day, hundreds of men in those born in 1991, ’92, ’93 and ’94.

Barcelona four. Since then we didn’t Polo Championship where he refereed Mostar test their courage and man-

see them at either the European the women’s final. Ever since the Bel- hood by diving from the Stary Most, a Czech Republic

Championships in Budapest, or the grade EC, Koganov has received im- World Heritage Site. In contrast, The men’s water polo team was beaten

World Championships. Let’s hope they portant assignments. He is a member springboard diving and the 10m event in three cliff-hanger matches in the

will return to the international arena, at of the pool of Euro League referees, attract little following in that country. Odense qualifying group, to take part in

the Eindhoven continental tournament meaning he can be picked for key cup Only swimmers represented Bosnia the Manchester “B” European Cham- From April 21st till May 3rd the Estonian Golden balance – Buslje (white) and his

at the latest. matches. and Herzegovina in Melbourne. pionships. Perhaps the Czech lady Swimming Federation has a very spe- Croatian mates contributed much to the

federation’s budget

water polo players will rectify that omis- cial guest – Clive Rushton from New

Andorra Belarus Bulgaria sion. This June, Prague will host the “B” Zealand who has a busy time with

The Andorran National Team was Eminent backstroke swimmer, Alexandra Petar Stoichev, icon of Bulgarian swim- European Championships and the best many lectures and workshops during Finland

delighted to participate in the ISF CUP Herasimenia, made a fresh contribu- ming, is dedicated in improving his teams may qualify for next year’s Malaga this 10 days. Finnish UNICEF and the Finnish

for youngsters held in Hungary from 28 tion to Belarusian swimming history by Melbourne results. In the 25 km event, European Championships. The Czech Swimming Association signed a coop-

April to 2 May. The value of the ISF winning a silver medal in Melbourne. the title holder of the World Cup fin- women’s team is among the favourites. Faroe Islands erative contract in Helsinki on the 4th of

CUP to a small country is huge, giving Leila Vaziri, who broke the world record ished sixth. In future World Cup tourna- Faeroese swimmers participated at the April. UNICEF was first presented as a

its athletes a chance to meet others (28.16) and set another one, won by ments, and the Seville qualification Denmark World Championships for the first time partner of LEN in Helsinki at the Short

from different countries and cultures. just a tiny margin ahead of Herasi- world championships, he intends to It proved to be the right decision for in Melbourne. Small as their delegation Course European Championships in

menia, whose two-year period of ineli- make a better showing. Last year Jakob Schiott Andkjaer to go to the was, its members entered events with December.

Armenia gibility for doping recently elapsed. Stoichev attempted to make history by United States: the excellent butterfly Pal Joensen (17) swimming in each of

In the past, the Armenian Swimmming Last year Herasimenia swam the world breaking the record for crossing the swimmer won a bronze medal in 50 the freestyle events ranging from the Swimming for the children – Seppala and

Association sent a sole competitor to inter- record of that time (28.19), but the English Channel, but he wasn’t able to. metres in Melbourne, a milestone in the 50m to 1500m. He only skipped the 800 other Finnish competitors take part in

national tournaments, including the Euro- result was not officially approved The weather conditions were so bad history of Danish swimming. Another m event – a praiseworthy effort indeed. events which help fundraising for UNICEF

pean Championships and Olympic because Belarus failed to submit the that instead of the 32 km, he may have outstanding swimmer, Louise Ornstedt,

Games, but in Melbourne there were three documents needed for ratification. had to swim as many as 40 km. who has yet to earn her ticket to Beijing,

of them. We hope that this tendency will is planning to go to Australia. Julie

continue at next year’s major contests. Belgium Hjorth-Hansen, the only European to

The swimmer who qualified for a semi- qualify for the final of the women’s 200m

Austria final at the World Championships individual medley, is expected to make

The Austrian Swimming Association earned Belgium a place on the Cham- a strong performance at the summer

(ASA) was generous with Austrians who pionship Trophy list of countries. As 171 national championship.

qualified to the finals in the Melbourne countries entered the Melbourne meet,

World Championships: each finalist re- being placed 50th is a praiseworthy Estonia

ceived 2,000 EUR as a bonus. “The achievement. Kimberley Buys (17 years Following the World Championships,

bonus is meant to give additional old) qualified to be one of the best six- Estonian Swimming Federation has

encouragement for young athletes. We teen in the 50 m butterfly event. already five swimmers qualified for the

have the Beijing Olympic Games in our Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing. The

mind,” says ASA President Paul Bosnia and Herzegovina next big event in Estonia is the over 60

Schauer. Eventually they paid 6,000 As in most years, its traditional summer year old traditional dual meet between

EUR as Markus Rogan qualified twice diving competition will be held in Estonia and Finland. The very first dual

and Fabienne Nadarajah once. Good Mostar. Chronicles have it that some meet between Estonia and Finland took

news that a total of ten Austrian nation- brave person dived from the Old Heading to Beijing place in 1934 and this year will take

al records were broken in Melbourne. Bridge as early as 1664. However, cir- – Petar Stoichev of Bulgaria place from 26-27 May in Tallin.



22 LEN LEN 23

Magazine Magazine

L E N - FA M I LY N E W S

France of the LEN Bureau: “Adidas has been Hungary Leonid Kaufman was born in Minsk,

Eighteen French swimmers are among our official supplier for one and a half The Hungarian Swimming Association Belarus in 1958. Kaufman had a spell

the Top 25. The World Swimming years and we are very satisfied with our and the city of Debrecen will soon sign with the national team between 1992

Coaches Association (WSCA, President: chief sponsor. Our relations with a cooperation agreement to serve as and 2005, then returned as head

Peter Daland) has compiled a list of the Adidas have opened a new dimension the basis for another excellent conti- coach in January 2007. He will take the

top 25 swimmers. The performances of in sponsoring German swimming. Our nental tournament. The document team to the Paris meet where the Israeli

485 swimmers from 44 countries were elite athletes have never received so could not be signed until the annual swimmers will try to achieve the criteria

weighed (on the basis of 34 individual generous bonuses.,” budget meeting of Debrecen had for the 2008 Olympic Games.

events in 2006 in 50 m pools). As many Speaking on behalf of the swimmers, taken place, but now the requisite

as 18 French swimmers have been Annika Lurz, who won silver medal at financial guarantees are in place, they Italy

selected to the Top 25 (ten men and the World Championships, said, “I’m are ready to hold a successful Looking towards the 2009 World

eight women). really pleased with the Adidas prod- European Short Course Swimming Championships, the Casa Italia in

The list is as follows: Esther BARON, ucts. Last year in Budapest I swam fast Championships in 2007. The local Melbourne was well received and 2500

Sarah BEY, Sophie DE RONCHI, Sophie in Adidas gear, and the same thing organizers will use experience of the visitors were counted during the first

HUBER, Laure MANAUDOU, Malia happened in Melbourne, where I won Helsinki and Trieste Short Course EC. week. These included leaders of inter-









Photo: REUTERS

METELLA, Aurore MONGEL, Camille silver medal in 200m freestyle by In another favourable development,T- national swimming and delegations of

MUFFAT, Aurélie MULLER, Alena POP- breaking the German record. What is Mobile, the official partner of last year’s numerous Swimming Associations, such

CHANKA, Alain BERNARD, Frédérick more, the Adidas products fit my indi- Budapest European Swimming Cham- as the United States and China. Other

BOUSQUET, Hugues DUBOSCQ, Chris- vidual needs.” pionships, is about to prolong its coop- notable visitors were the world-class

tophe LEBON, Amaury LEVEAUX, David eration with the Hungarian Swimming Russian synchronized swimmers, the

MAITRE, Nicolas ROSTOUCHER and Gibraltar Association. Jozsef Ruza, executive FINA Technical Open Water Committee

Sébastien ROUAULT. For the first time since Gibraltar has had director of the Organizing Committee headed by Ulla Lucenius of Finland, and

its own Swimming Association, Gibraltan of the 2006 European Championships members of the Italian men’s and

Georgia swimmers entered the World Champion- received one of the highest order of women’s water polo national teams. ed for the first time after staying away See you in Rome – Marco Formenti will

Georgia used to have excellent water ships in Melbourne with six athletes. Next Budapest for his outstanding job. from tournaments for many years. eye a medal on home soil in 2009, he had

a bronze in Melbourne

polo centre players but that tradition they intend to take part at the Man- Latvia Annika Lurz of Germany produced the

seems to in danger now. Tbilisi no chester Short Course World Champion- Iceland The Latvian Swimming Association is best result of the contest: in 200m

longer hosts water polo tournaments, ships. In the past, athletes from Gibraltar There has been a change in the struc- about to move to a new office late May. freestyle her time was under world the most popular, however, the number

which used to be so popular, neither only took part in the Commonwealth ture of the Icelandic Swimming The Latvian swimmers, who had mode- record time by less than a second. The of athletes practicing swimming is

are there any young world-class centre Games and the Small State Games. Association. A new General Secretary rate success in Melbourne, are now pre- unofficial medals competition among increasing gradually every year. But

players that we know of. The younger has been appointed, Jana Sturlaugs- paring for the summer swimming events, the participating countries was won by because of the popularity of water

and elder Mshvenieradze and Revaz Great Britain dóttir, who will be working along side especially the World University Games. Ukraine. polo, many male swimmers, on reach-

Tchomakidze, still a key member of the Local Authorities across the country are Brian D. Marshall, General Secretary ing the age groups of water polo com-

Russian national team, began their signing up to work in partnership with and supervisor of the national team. Liechtenstein Macedonia petitions, tend to change their sport.

career in Georgia. Since the disman- the Amateur Swimming Association to In November 2006 the Icelandic Simon Beck took part in the Arena The Swimming Federation of Republic

tling of the Soviet Union, times are implement the National Plan for Teach- Swimming Association brought in a Trophy tournament in Munich as a of Macedonia has a new president. Mr. Moldova

unfavourable for local water polo play- ing Swimming in their centres. The new sponsor. The Icelandic bank GLIT- member of the team of Liechtenstein Zoran Aleksov was elected by the Having attained independence, Mol-

ers. Regretfully, they are not seen at National Plan is a template for ‘learn to NIR will be the association’s main and he broke eight-year-old national Annual Assembly in January 2007. The dova sent swimmers to major tourna-

international tournaments, and no water swim’ schemes, and means the authori- sponsor until the Olympic Games 2008 records there. A competitor of Aquarius national water polo team greeted the ments abroad – in the first Short Course

polo championships are held there. ties will use the highest quality syllabus along with Speedo. Triesen, he scored those fine results in new president by presenting him with a World Championships Sergei Mariniuk

and awards system. The plan is a com- the 50m and 200m breaststroke great success. After a long period of won a silver medal – but in recent years

Germany prehensive and progressive teaching Ireland events. He took the silver medal in 50 time, the team appeared at a major that country has been absent from big

The German Association is fully satis- programme based upon sound techni- In view of the London Olympic Games, m breaststroke. He is only 14. LEN Tournament: the qualification tour- international contests. They sent no

fied with its partner, Adidas. Although cal and educational principles. Swim Ireland has launched a new pro- New contacts in the Federation: nament for the ‘B’ European Water Polo swimmers to the Athens Olympic

the media reported some tension dur- gramme: a High Performance Swim- New tel.: +423 232 9497. Championships held in Odense. In Games. It is to be hoped that they will

ing the national championships in Greece ming Centre has been established New fax: +423 373 58 93 three tough matches the Macedonians soon return to events organized by LEN.

Berlin, their differences have been Greece is bidding for the now vacant under the aegis of the University of managed two wins, and by taking the

ironed. Says Christa Thiel, President of post of hosting the men’s European Limerick. The centre elaborates perfor- Lithuania second place they qualified for the ‘B’ Monaco

the German Association, and member Olympic water polo qualifying tourna- mance-boosting programmes for Vitautas Janusaitis and Rolandas European Water Polo Championships The three-leg Mare Nostrum swimming

ment. Originally LEN commissioned members of the Irish national team and Gimbutis could not entirely fulfil the in Manchester this summer. contest, especially the final Monaco

Croatia to act as host but the gold for university students. One of the most expectations attached to them, even stage, is gaining in importance:

medal at the World Championships renowned Canadian coaches, Steve though both stood their ground in Malta Michael Phelps will be among the

granted Croatia automatic qualification Price, has been commissioned to coor- Melbourne. Janusaitis qualified for the The Swimming Association of Malta entrants in the three venues, Canet-en-

to Beijing, after which Croatia withdrew. dinate the whole initiative. He says that final in his favourite event, the 200m founded in 1925 is getting ready to Roussillion, Barcelona and Monaco.

Greece, Alessandro Campagna’s it is “a wonderful opportunity for Irish individual medley. That is quite an organise another great event: the Youth The competition will take place on 16

team, which won bronze at the Mont- swimmers to show their talent in 2012 accomplishment as in the whole of Water Polo European Championships and 17 June. An organizer of Mare

real World Championships in 2005, fin- at a neighbouring country.” Lithuania there is just a single 50m pool in September. It has almost become Nostrum, Christian Canavesio told

ished only sixth in Melbourne. If it does which is in the capital city of Vilnius. It’s part of their routine to host a big com- L’Équipe that the trainer of Phelps, Bob

well during the qualification tourna- Israel praiseworthy that they sent seven petition: undoubtedly the most presti- Bowman, only had one special

ment, that will compensate for the Dr. Leonid Kaufman has been nominat- swimmers to the World Championships gious were the 2001 European Junior request: that he and his pupil wish to

mediocre show in Australia. ed National Team Coach of the Israeli in Melbourne. Swimming & Diving Championships travel Business Class.

Swimming Association until the end of and the 2004 Junior Water Polo Cham-

August 2007, as the 8 swimmers par- Luxembourg pionships – both held in Malta. Only two Montenegro

No problem – German Swimming ticipating in Melbourne did a great job: It was at the Ninth Luxembourg Euro- swimming disciplines are up till now The water polo players of Montenegro

Federation’s president and LEN Bureau 1 final, 3 semi finals, 3 Israeli national meet where Ukraine’s Olympic champi- being practiced in Malta, Swimming and are enthusiastically preparing for the

Member Christa Thiel adresses the media records and many PBs. on swimmer Yana Klochkova compet- Water Polo. Water Polo is undoubtedly Olympic Games. Petar Porobic was



24 LEN LEN 25

Magazine Magazine

L E N - FA M I LY N E W S

and Montenegro discussed the options official recognition. ASISA (Medical Turkey

head coach of the national team of









Photo: WOLFGANG RATTAY / REUTERS

for launching a regional championship, Group) is the official sponsor of syn- Turkey is proud and eager to host this

Serbia-Montenegro when they won the in which Croatian, Slovenian and Hun- chronized swimming of the Royal year’s Water Polo European Masters

world title in 2005. Today Porobic is garian teams would also be involved. Spanish Swimming Federation Championships in the place where cul-

head coach of the national team whose tures and continents meet, the fabled

initial results have been impressive, Slovakia Sweden city of Istanbul. It promises the opportu-

they beat Italy in a friendly tourney. A new water polo centre, which may Swedish Swimming Federation starts nity of 1001 adventures to participants

Concatcs of the new Federation: Tel: guarantee Slovakia’s to return to the lifesaving project. As a New Year and their supporters and more than fifty

+382 88 324 200. Fax: +382 82 302 best European water polo teams, has pledge for 2007 they promised: “All teams are expected to enter. Turkey’s

755. Website: www.wpolomne.org opened in Novaky.. The men’s water children in third grade should be able 40+ Masters Team, which placed 3rd in

E-mail: federation@wpolomne.org. polo team was in Sydney, Fukuoka and to swim at latest in the year of 2012”. last summer’s FINA Masters World

Barcelona; however, they were not at The campaign is focusing on politi- Championships, will add excitement to

The Netherlands the two most recent World Champion- cians, media and the schools all over the proceedings. During the 2005 World

In the Netherlands, around 90% of the ships. By the time of the Danube Cup the country. “We have to work together University Games, held in Izmir, Turkey,

population has a swimming diploma tournament, to be held in Slovakia in with these groups otherwise we won’t the Turkish team was third, and is

and 3 million swim more than once a August 2007, the water polo team is ex- be able to succeed in our work”, says entered this summer’s Universiade in

month. The government’s aim is to pected to be in a good shape. It will be Sven von Holst, chairman of the Bangkok. For the first time, a women’s

ensure every child leaving primary needed when Slovakia takes part in the Federation. More on the brand new water polo team will compete in the inter-

school knows how to swim. More than European qualification tournament in website: www.simforbundet.se national arena as well, entered in the

200,000 children gain a diploma each September and then the Olympic world qualification tournament for the

year. The swimming association has qualification tournament next year. Switzerland European championships.

150,000 members and is trying to The western part of the country is The Turkish Swimming Federation has a

attract an even larger group of people. Slovenia about to catch up the eastern part in new president: Dr. Aydin Karakuzu.

They do this by providing competitions, Will be back – after having a great season in 2006 Arkady Vyatchanin and the Russians Preparations are well under way for the the water polo championships.

developing school programmes to weren’t at their best in Melbourne Swimming and Open Water Swimming Monthey, Carouge and Geneva now Ukraine

build a bridge between swimming Masters European Championships also have premier league teams even The Ukrainian Swimming Association

lessons and swimming as a sport. The and a half during which time Polish ath- Russia later in the summer, which is expected though presently the clubs of eastern was one of the five European associa-

association also organises the annual letes have won world and Olympic titles. The national swimming team of Russia to attract a large number of partici- localities dominate the field. The teams tions to welcome home a swimming

Four-day Swim, in which almost Otylia Jedzrejczak won the first Olympic is running a training camp in Calela, pants. It’s good news for the adult of Horgen, Lugano, Kreuzlingen and world champion, 50m breaststroke spe-

100,000 people (mainly families) par- gold medal in the history of Polish swim- Spain, until 12 May. They are now swimming national team that on the Schaffhausen are successful also cialist Oleg Lisogor. Another Ukrainian

ticipate. In addition, programmes have ming in Athens in 2004. The 85th preparing for the LEN Meet in Paris and opening day of the Melbourne World because they lay emphasis on training who deserved praise was bronze me-

been developed directed at attracting anniversary was appropriately celebrat- for their National Championship to be Championships Luka Turk broke the junior players. The Swiss water polo dallist Anna Khlistunova. Several swim-

mainly older people to the swimming ed but a really festive atmosphere was held in St. Petersburg. They have to oldest, 26-year-old Slovenian national league championship system has four mers of the 19-member swimming team

pool. created when news came through of work hard as Russian swimmers fall record in 400 m freestyle. Darian tiers. There are 1400 water polo play- reached remarkable results – a promis-

Mateusz Sawrymowicz’ gold medal in back after the European Champion- Petrovic, with his elder brother, was ers in 42 teams there. ing sign for its Olympic preparations.

Norway the 1500m freestyle in Melbourne. ships: in Budapest they grabbed 7 among the early outstanding figures of

Per Rune Eknes is the ‘old’ new presi- gold medals but left Melbourne without Slovenian swimming. Awards everywhere

dent of the national swimming associa- Portugal earning one. – Spain’s top synchro-wimmers

tion since being re-elected in April for Portuguese swimmers bettered as Spain (pictured Gemma Mengual and

another three-year term. The general many as nine national records at the San Marino The Minister of Sports Mr. Jaime Tirados Sanchez) received









Photo: RUSSELL BOYCE / REUTERS

assembly elected a new vice presi- Melbourne World Championships. Of San Marino Swimming Federation, medals in Melbourne and a royal

Lissavetzky, has submitted to the order at home

dent, Trude Halvorsen, daughter of the 11 swimmers, seven set new born in 1981, wants to promote swim- Spanish Cabinet Meeting the granting

past LEN Swimming committee mem- national records in various swimming ming in every way. FSN organizes the of the “Real Orden al Mérito Deportivo”

ber Arthur Knudsen. Mr. Eknes will con- events – a noteworthy accomplish- “Meeting del Titano”, which has in the category of a Gold Plaque, for

tinue working towards better aquatic ment. Nineteen year old Pedro D. become part of the official LEN-calen- the Spanish Synchronized Swimming

facilities. “There were some great new Oliveira qualified for the semifinal in dar since 1986. The Federation is also Team. The sporting history, merits

buildings 30-40 years ago, but few new 200 m backstroke and finished 14th. preparing the 23rd edition of the Latin gained and the contribution of the syn-

pools since then. Our priorities are Cup, to be staged in San Marino chronised swimming team have re-

therefore to encourage politicians to Romania Republic in April 2008 in collaboration ceived the greatest award an athlete, The editorial board of LEN

use more government money to in- A foundation, called “House of the with the CONS (Committed Olympic or group of athletes, can attain in Magazine wishes to make this

crease our situation with pools. Our Champions”, has been set up under National Sanmarinese). quarterly a forum for the LEN

Spain, mainly after the international Family where you can discuss

biggest priority will be to get more the auspices of the Office of the success that this beautiful discipline ideas that are meant to promote

Olympic pools. We also work with President of the Republic of Romania. Serbia has achieved. In Melbourne, the the progress of swimming as

swimming education, and are request- It will support athletes chosen to repre- In recent months the circle of the spon- Spanish synchro team won six medals: well as critical observations.

ing the government to tell schools to sent Romania at the 2012 Olympic sors of the Swimming Association We will evaluate swimming

four silver and two bronze, also events and promote the

have at least 40 lessons per child up to Games. Equally important is the increased by 20%. Indeed potential Spanish athlete Gemma Mengual was exchange of information.

the age of ten and want our clubs to Government’s intention to build a 50m sponsors are courting the water polo second in the medals table with six Our idea is that each LEN

have people responsible for that. pool, which complies Olympic stan- players, who in 2005 and 2006 won individual medals, only overcome by Member Federation are featured

Furthermore, we also are working to dards, in every major Romanian city, five-out-of-five major international com- the “superstar” of world swimming, by covering their activities

increase membership and hope to and existing pools are to be renovated. petitions. By contrast, other Serbian and event results.

Michael Phelps.

double our register in a short time.” One of the new sports complexes, the team sports are not doing so well nowa- Gemma Mengual, Paola Tirados, Alba LEN Magazine is a publication

indoor swimming pool in Oradea, will days. Sports officials are seeking ways Cabello, Ona Carbonell, Andrea and of the LEN Family. We welcome

Poland host the men’s water polo Olympic of keeping the Serbian clubs in compe- Tina Fuentes, Laura Lopez, Thais Hen- all observations, advice, opin-

The Polish Swimming Association mark- world qualification competition. tition. Since Serbia and Montenegro ions, news, information, photos

riquez, Gisela Moron, Irina Rodríguez and other illustrations at the fol-

ed its 85th birthday on 30 April. Swim- Please, also note, that the Romanian became separate, Partizan has re- and Cristina Violan, under the leader- lowing address:

ming has become an important factor athletes wil compete under a new mained the only strong Serbian club. In ship of the national coach Mrs. Anna lenmagazine@lenmagazine.com

there, especially over the past decade country code: ROU. Melbourne water polo officials of Serbia Tarrés, deserve – without doubt – this

26 LEN LEN 27

Magazine Magazine

Q&A

you can find large domination of one thermore, we organise events such as It is becoming an ever greater sacrifice

country but the reality shows that new the “Water Polo World Leagues” to to host World Championships. There









Europe

winners and countries will emerge. prove the importance and the univer- is international consensus that Aust-

Interview with Moreover, we can underline that with sality of this discipline. Our FINA School ralia did a wonderful job. How many

the introduction of synchronised diving, for Referees is also an important tool of cities of the world in your view can

MUSTAPHA LARFAOUI,

this discipline substantially improved progress and development. satisfy the ever higher requirements

President of FINA its visibility, getting more interest from In synchronised swimming the Russian of a world championship host? Is the







in the World

spectators and media. girls took all but one gold medal. list of potential world championships

Water Polo has survived a dangerous The French were victorious in one hosts shrinking?

test: it has been retained on the event that is not in the Olympic pro- Looking at the number of bidders inter-

schedule of the Olympic Games. gramme. The Russians have had a esting in hosting the FINA World Cham-

Evident is the question: has the s

long-standing hegemony: they took pionships, we can say that this compe-

water polo become of a higher qual- gold medals in every event at the tition has become one of the most

ity? Will water polo be more enjoy- latest European Championships. important and prestigious international

able and more attractive to watch? Does that situation encourage ath- sport events in the world. The success

He has been at the helm of the consider tests for blood doping the morning and finals in the afternoon). What is your response to the fact letes from other countries to com- of the World Championships is mainly

International Swimming unnecessary at the FINA World Considering this, we must keep in mind that in two subsequent World pete with even greater enthusiasm due to the fact that it provides important

Federation (FINA) for nearly two Cham-pionships?

p that the Olympic Games is an IOC event Championships only European teams or is it a pity that nowadays other returns to the organising cities/National

decades, so undoubtedly he has Since 1998, FINA put a great deal of and as stakeholders we may express could qualify to the best eight? countries can only aspire to silver Federations. The 15 days of competition

energy in this crucial issue. FINA, as you our opinion but we must follow the IOC Water Polo is the oldest team sport in medals at best? include the following benefits for the

been playing a decisive role in the

know, organised three Extraordinary Executive Board decision on the pro- Olympic Games, making its debut in During a long period synchronised Organisers: worldwide TV coverage

development of world swimming. the second edition of the Games in swimmers of North America imposed (over 160 territories), media and news

Congresses to improve its rules about the gramme, as specified in the Olympic

Continued universal confidence in fight against doping. All decisions dur- Charter. 1900. Being part of the FINA aquatics’ their supremacy. Now Russians are on attention, important social events, uni-

his accomplishment has earned ing these meetings were voted unani- I am sure that the Swimming Family will universe of five disciplines, it has not the top but their domination constitutes versality, and most essentially, a signifi-

him his fifth tenure since 1988. mously by our National Federations. take the necessary steps and will be been a question for water polo to be a challenge to others swimmers. It is cant economic impact (four or five times

Obviously, all continents should The number of tests, especially the ready for a very successful competition present or not in the Olympic pro- sport! Swimmers from Japan, Spain more than the Operations Budget)

be of equal importance for him unannounced out-of competition ones, at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. gramme. Our duty is to continuously and the promising representatives of brought by the championships to the

but this time LEN Magazine asked is increasing every year and the results What the United Stated has achieved in develop worldwide our sport in the five China are not so far away and I am city and respective country. For all these

him to focus on Europe. are completely transparent and available swimming, China seems to have disciplines and for water polo particu- sure that the next Olympic competi- reasons, important Cities/National

on the FINA website at www.fina.org. done in diving. What do you think larly together with the Bureau, Technical tions in Beijing will be of very high qual- Federations around the world are con-

The USA took 20 gold medals out of There, we will find information such as: the consequence will be if a coun- Committee and National Federations ity and probably we will see new stars tinuously interesting in hosting the FINA

the 40 swimming events, Australia rules, statistics, doping offences, deci- in this discipline. World Championships.

took 9, Europe 6, Africa 3 and Asia sions of doping panel or TAS, etc. We For synchronised swimming, we must Following s uccessful c ontinental

Swimmers heading down, the sport

2. Can we evaluate swimming on spent a lot of energy, money and time to all recognise that an important championships a nd e fficiently

going up – the World Championships

the various continents on the basis avoid the presence of cheats in our were a sizzling success improvement has been seen in the lat- organized World Championships,

of these and other Melbourne re- competitions. We are aware that we may est editions of the World Champion- FINA is soon to celebrate the

sults? How do you assess Europe’s win the battles but not the war. What ships, with the introduction of the Free 100th anniversary of its founda-

performance in that picture? FINA can assure is that day after day Combination in 2003. This spectacular tion. Where, when and how will the

FINA must be proud to see so many with the help of our 194 National event surely brings more interest and celebrations be held?

athletes of different countries and of Federations we try to obtain the best gives an additional value to this beauti- FINA was founded on 19 July 1908 in

the five continents winning medals at results to preserve the honesty of our ful and artistic sport. London, in the Manchester Hotel. In

the 12th FINA World Championships competitions. It is our objective and the In the spectacular open water swim- 2008 FINA will officially celebrate its

held recently in Melbourne. Very few fight is intense. ming events nowadays the stings of 100th anniversary also in London. It will

International Sport Federations can Concerning blood tests, we apply the jellyfish are not the only annoying be an important milestone with many

present such universal results with most efficient testing method, as rec- factor. At times there was tussle memories and much joy. Other events

medallists from USA and Canada for ommended by WADA and by the sci- among swimmers, occasionally so will take place during the year every-

Americas, Australia in Oceania, China, entists and specialists (namely from fierce that is unusual event in water where in the world under the auspice of

Japan and Korean for Asia, South the FINA Doping Control Review polo matches. In the period running FINA and our National Federations.

Africa for Africa and of course by tradi- Board). I must add that FINA was the up to the Olympic Games what Another important date for these festiv-

tion a lot of European countries (such first International Federation to adopt measures can be taken to prevent ities will be the FINA 100 Years

as France, Italy, Poland, Russia or such tests a few years ago. occasional scrimmage during Centenary Gala during the Olympic

Germany). As you see, the winners are The reality of today is that the urine test those events? Games in Beijing, where all the FINA

coming from the most important coun- is more efficient that the blood analysis, For the first time a 10km open water Family and our friends from other

tries in each continent and are also but when the growth hormone blood swimming competition for men and organisations will have the opportunity

powers in our sports. We have also to test will be available, please be sure women will be an Olympic event during to commemorate 100 years of FINA.

mention countries as Tunisia and that we will implement it immediately. the 2008 Olympic Games. The events

Zimbabwe in Africa, Venezuela in Although there will be numerous conti- try obtains such dominance in a we try to improve it into a more spec- will be organised in the Rowing and by TAMAS

South America, and others for gaining nental tournaments until the Beijing certain field? tacular and attractive game to specta- Canoeing Course where all the condi- GYARFAS

medals at the World Championships. Olympics, international attention is The domination of the Chinese school tors and media, and the new rules were tions are in place for successful races. (Editor-in-chief,

For Europe, it is true the competition is already focused on the next in diving year after year is a reality but directed to this objective. In 2007, FINA organises the FINA 10km LEN Magazine)

more and more difficult but it is a good Olympic Games. Did you sense divers of three other continents gained The FINA Bureau recently decided to Marathon Swimming World Cup with 12

sign of FINA’s vitality worldwide. opposition to holding swimming medals in Melbourne: for example, organise the “World Water Polo Deve- events and the Open Water Swimming

There were no doping cases at the finals in the morning? Russia, Germany and Italy for Europe, lopment Trophy” which will be held this Grand Prix for distances over 10km with

FINA World Championships. Does FINA’s position was very clear in this some from Canada and the USA for May in Kuwait with the participation of nine races. All this demonstrates that

that mean that swimming is free of point: to keep the same format as in the Americas and some from Australia for 12 national teams, which never before this discipline is growing and is prac-

doping cases? Did the organisers FINA World Championships (heats in Oceania. In the history of every sport attended any FINA competition. Fur- tised in the five continents.



28 LEN LEN 29

Magazine Magazine

From the Swim the language!

To learn a language by playing on the

Internet and win a trip to the Games of

2) Socialising, 3) Swimming, 4) Meeting

the culture of the host country.

LEN Clinics 2007

Swimming

Coaches Clinic, Antwerpen (BEL), Junior







headquarters

the XXIX Olympiad with an accredita- Swimming EC

In the end the results of the races

Technique and Tactics of the world’s best

tion for the Swimming competition in will be classified according to the swimmers. Lecturer: Dmitrij Mancevic (SLO)

Beijing in 2008. This will be possible for number of correct answers and the Officials Clinic, Antwerpen (BEL), Junior



.

participants in LEN’s project, “Swim the sum of times obtained and the best will Swimming EC

Language Challenge”, funded win many different prizes on Coaches Clinic, Debrecen (HUN), Short

Following the World Champion- In beautiful Florence the Women’s Course EC

Water Polo Champion’s Cup was by the European Union and its their way to achieving the final Managements experiences of the Dutch

ships, busy times lay ahead for staged for the first time in the pres- Socrates Programme. victory: visit at the Beijing National Swimming Team

LEN Bureau Members and its ence of Bartolo Consolo, Laszlo “All those registered in Fede- Olympics. Lecturer: Ad Roskam (NED)

Technical Committees, as well Szakadati and Marco Birri. Host Club rations who are members of “With this project – explains Diving

LEN – explains Ariella Cuk, pro- LEN President Bartolo Consolo Coaches Clinic, Trieste, Junior Diving EC

as the LEN office. ‘Fiorentina Water Polo’ won in impres-



. sive style, lifting the most prestigious ject coordinator – can partici- – we would like to contribute Strengthening Programme for Age Group

pate in the “Swim the Language to the construction of a com- Divers. Lecturer: Marocchi (ITA)

By mid-April, two important site visits women’s club trophy in the world high Coaches Clinic, Moscow (RUS), 17-21 2

in celebration. Challenge”, by learning the mon European identity, partic-

had been carried out relating to future October



.

basic elements of some European lan- ularly among young people, based on

LEN events. Malaga, host city of the Water Polo

May brings two important site visits. guages, for the moment Italian, Slove- the values that are innate to sports and

European Water Polo Championships Our Yearbooks Three days preparatory Referees Clinic,

First, Bartolo Consolo, Sven Folvik, nian, Hungarian, Finnish and Dutch.” on mutual knowledge and respect.” Eger (HUN), August

2008 was visited by Water Polo Ma-

Nory Kruchten and Laszlo Szakadati The competition is structured as a More information in the August issue

nager Marco Birri, together with Antoine Each year LEN issues the quarterly Open Water

will go to Paris to meet the Organising relay, with four parts dedicated to dif- and on the site:

Auer, representative of LEN’s marketing LEN Magazines and the LEN Year- Officials Clinic (venue, date: TBD)

Committee of the ‘Open de Paris de ferent subjects: 1) Visiting and Hosting, www.swimthelanguage.org Lecturer: Flavio Bomio (SUI)

agency Comm’unity. At the same time book, and the latter has already come

in Rome, the Organising Committee of Natation’. Next, Masters Committee out this year. The Yearbook sums up

the European Synchronised Swimming Secretary Hans-Peter Sick will travel to the most prestigious events of the year Events 2007 2008 2009 LEN Funds

Championship Cup 2007 met with Direc- Istanbul, together with Marco Birri, to in all the LEN disciplines and is illus- Diving

tor Laszlo Szakadati and David Rouger, discuss details of the European trated by spectacular, full-colour European Championships (SW, DV, SY) Eindhoven (NED) Summer Diving Camp Age Group C & B

Masters Water Polo Championships. 13-24 March an exchange of experiences for nations in

Account Manager at Comm’unity. photos of Reuters. The Yearbook has Open de Paris de Natation Paris the Mediterranean area, central & south

been posted free of charge to the LEN 2 • 5 August Europe. Riccione ITA, 30 July-5 August.

Member Associations, sports officials, European WP Championships Malaga (ESP)

LEN-UNICEF: More than a partnership supporters, sponsors and respected

4 • 13 July Leaders: Oscar Bertone (ITA), Marcello

Coniglio (ITA)

European SHC SW Championships Debrecen (HUN) Rijeka (CRO) Bids rqd

representatives of the media. 13 • 16 December 11 • 14 December Water Polo

The collaboration between the United Swedish and Spanish Swimming Arena DV Champions Cup Stockholm (SWE) Stockholm (SWE) Bids rqd

Annual Training Camp (British National

Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Associations have also been fostering 17 • 18 February 9 • 10 February (T.B.C.)

European SY Champions Cup Rome (ITA) Bids rqd Academy) for young players of 14/15 age

LEN began in Helsinki at the Short relations with UNICEF for years, and range. Millfield (GBR), 5- 11 August.

31 May • 3 June

Course European Championships. will continue to do so through their cur- WP Euro League “Final Four” T.B.D. T.B.D. T.B.D.

The LEN Handbook 22 • 23 June 9 • 10 May Synchro

In future not only LEN but also its rent charity activities. New Project to bring primary school age

2006-2008 has been European Championships OWS T.B.D

Member Federations will Austria, Germany, Italy, published and post- European Masters Championships Kranj (SLO) Bids rqd talented girls to Synchronized Swimming,

strive to help needy chil- Hungary and Norway also ed to Federations (SW, DV, SY) 28 August • 2 September Austria, Autumn 2006-Spring 2007

dren with direct donations intend to support UNICEF and all concerned. European Masters WP Championships Istanbul (TUR) Bids rqd Two weeks Clinic for Technicians &

Should there be 9 • 15 July Training Camp for Synchronized

and various other initia- with new Hungarian initia- European Junior SW Championships Antwerp (BEL) Belgrade (SRB) Bids rqd

interest to pur- Swimmers, Andorra.

tives. This was one of the tives and fundraising. 19 • 22 July 30 July-3 August

chase further co- European Junior DV Championships Trieste (ITA) Bids rqd Bids rqd Open Water

topics discussed in April The European Short pies this can be 25 • 29 July Clinic & Training Camp with CYP, POR,

at a seminar organised by Course Championships in arranged through European Junior OWS Championships Milano (ITA) Bids rqd Bids rqd SLO, BUL, TUR, CRO, ITA, FRA, ESP &

UNICEF in Geneva, which Debrecen will also be held the LEN Office at 6 July SUI. Calella (ESP), 1-6 October 2007.

a cost of 20,00 European “B” WP Championships Men Manchester (GBR) Lugano (SUI)

was attended by Presi- under the auspices of the 8 • 15 July T.B.D.

EUR per copy.

dent Bartolo Consolo, LEN-UNICEF partnership. European “B” WP Championships Wom. Prague (CZE) Bids rqd

17 • 24 June Six LEN Technical Committee meetings

Secretary Sven Folvik and The Hungarian Swimming were scheduled for the end of April, with the

European Junior WP Chmps. Men Istanbul (TUR)

Treasurer Nory Kruchten Association and the local 27 July-3 August TDC meeting in Suzdal (RUS), the TSC in

along with representa- UNICEF office will orga- m

E-mail: len@lenoffice.it European Junior WP Chmps. Women Bids rqd Zürich (SUI), TOWSC in Dubrovnik (CRO),

tives of eleven Member nize a 4x100 metres soli- Fax: +39 06 30364038 European Junior SY Championships Calella (ESP) Bids rqd Bids rqd the Masters Committee in Bled (SLO) and

25 • 29 July the Medical Committee in Chios (GRE).

Federations. Treasurer Nory Kruchten darity relay competition European Youth WP Chmps. Men Malta (MLT) Bids rqd Kiev in Ukraine will host the first LEN

The British Swimming leads LEN’s fundraising and seeking sponsorship 8 • 15 September Bureau Meeting of the year, on the week-

European Youth WP Chmps. Women Patras (GRE) Bids rqd

promised a substantial efforts for its UNICEF project for each metre. Changes to note 5 • 12 August end of 25-26 May.

donation to the UNICEF water-related All agreed that the program will be European OWS Cup Legs London • 16 June TBD TBD

programmes. Likewise, the Finns will Mr. Erik VAN HEIJNINGEN, Sète (FRA) • 1 July

based on three main streamlines:

LEN Bureau Member Milano (ITA) • 7 July by LASZLO

continue contributing an annual 1. communicaton and branding, 2. New tels.: +31 70 441 70 13 (O), Piombino (ITA) • 15 July SZAKADATI

100,000 euros to needy children. The education, 3. fundraising. +31 30 751 3227 (KNZB) Balaton (HUN) • 22 July

Frankfurt (GER) • 28 July (LEN Director)

Navia (ESP) • 11 August

Mr Soren KORBO, LEN TSC Chairman

On Saturday 21st April the Danish Swimming Federation celebrated its 100th Correct e-mail address: European OWS Cup Final Event Mersin (TUR)-10km TBD TBD

anniversary in Copenhagen. It was an outstanding occasion, a fantastic festive soeren.korbo.sk@bayer.dk 2 September

LEN Congress Brussels (BEL) Zurich (SUI) Copenhagen

time conducted in a most professional manner. President Bartolo Consolo, Mr. Zvi RUTTERT, LEN Masters Committee 29 September September 19 September

Secretary Sven Folvik and Treasurer Nory Kruchten all attended the party. Once Member

more, ‘Happy Birthday Danish Swimming Federation!‘ New e-mail address: Federations considering to host a LEN Event where this applies (see ”Bids rqd” squares)

zvi.ruttert@gmail.com. please contact the LEN Office in Rome.



30 LEN LEN 31

Magazine Magazine

A N A LY S I S





Diving medal tables

MONTREAL 2005 MELBOURNE 2007

G S B Total G S B Total Here we go – Gleb

1 CHN 5 4 3 12 1 CHN 9 4 1 14 Galperin, Europe’s

2 CAN 3 1 4 2 RUS 1 1 2 4 answer to the







Galperin and

3 USA 1 1 1 3 3 CAN 0 3 0 3 Chinese challenge

4 RUS 1 1 2 4 AUS 0 1 1 2









Photos: REUTERS

5 GER 2 1 3 5 GER 0 1 3 4

6 AUS 2 2 6 ITA 0 0 2 2

7 CUB 1 1 7 USA 0 0 1 1









the Chinese

8 ITA 1 1

9 GBR 1 1

10 UKR 1 1

Total 10 10 10 30 Total 10 10 10 30





Favourable judging?

Many attempts have been made to find There is another explanation for the Chinese Springboard final on Friday, 23 March)

Melbourne was the first a better programme for diving competi- supremacy. This is what Yuliya Pakhalina and he still only came third.”

to see the new tions, yet the will to change remains. said after seeing the women’s 3-metre event: She added that, though one of Sautin’s

(post 2004 Olympics) Many coaches and experts feel divers “I could fight for gold, but the Chinese dives collected 10s from the judges, he

are squeezed too much, having to per- are strong and judged very favourably. could only finish third. Veteran Sautin

FINA World Championship

form the same optional programme They have different training to us. If I dived seems to have resigned to this new state

technical programme three times on the way to the final result. as much as them I would not be able to of affairs. This is what he answered when

– optional dives only in a Being the first 2008 Olympic qualifica- get up in the morning. You can fight with asked how he could beat the Chinese:

three-phase competition. tion event, Melbourne’s entry of 280 them only if they fall, not if they dive. Their “I’m at the age where I can’t make the

competitors from 41 nations showed mistakes are either not seen, or are forgiv- more complex dives. I have a couple but

Arena

that diving is popular world-wide. en. I don’t know what they do but whatev- it’s getting harder and harder. The Champions’ Cup:

China has reinforced its lead in the er it is, it is not attainable for me. Even Chinese train hard, look how they’re built! success again

diving world, it won 9 of 10 possible gold (Dmitry) Sautin, you could see that he I have to give up to them. I’ve come to

medals and 4 of the 10 silver medals - dived out of his skin (in the Men’s 3m terms with it.” The new Format for the Cup states

four more gold medals than in Montreal. only one of the two divers allowed in

On analysing continental representa- the preliminary round is able to enter

tion in the Finals: we have Europe first whole of the competition scored 100 Ex-German coach Horst Goerlitz jok- the final. This year saw the Cup event

with 48,14% and America with 26,85 % points plus. ingly said, “to beat the Chinese divers held in Stockholm for the seventh time

followed by Asia with 19,44% then Curiously, Chinese diver Luxin won you have to jump higher, spin faster and over the years the programme has

Oceania and Africa. Medals were won the prelims and semi-final achieving and make less splash on entry into the been improved and modified, though

by seven nations in Melbourne: Asia (14) the record of 558,20 points, yet came water”. This phrase is true, but we still different from the FINA standard, the

took the lion’s share, ahead of Europe second overall. have to find a way to do this! A few competition suits LEN very well. A

(10), America (4) and Oceania (2). And why are Chinese divers are divers from the occident have almost ‘knockout’ system eliminates the last

The closer we get to the Beijing better than the rest of the world? reached this goal: Alex Despatie, Gleb diver(s) after each dive, and the three

Olympics, the higher the quality. This question has puzzled us all Galperin, Dmitri Sautin and Guerra medal winners are unknown until the

Guo Jingjing was the star, she won her since Chinese divers first appeared in Oliva, Laura Wilknson and Hartley last dive of the programme.

eighth World Championship gold medal 1979 at the Mexico Universiade. It’s not Blythe, as well as the Greek synchro’ Nineteen nations were in Stockholm

with victory in the 3m springboard, cer- easy to answer, but their acrobatic team in Athens: Emily Heymans and with Ukraine topping the table with 89

tainly she is one of the finest springboard background is well known from circus Irina Lashko. points, ahead of Italy with 87, Russia

divers the world has ever seen. troupes around the world, whilst quick But as the Beijing Games is com- with 79 (their first team was not in

The only diver to halt the Chinese muscle fibres and low back arch char- mencing one should feel European Stockholm, preferring to stay away to

monopoly was 22 year old Russian acterise their bodies. Otherwise, cred- divers have to do the utmost to keep prepare for the World Champion-

Gleb Galperin with his outstanding per- it must be given to their outstanding the Melbourne positions in the medal ships), and Sweden with 48 points.

formance on the 10m platform. The diving academies where talent is able table at least… Prize money was awarded to the

Judges gave ‘10’ to be identified from a truly large pool, first, second and third teams in the

“To beat the Chinese divers you have no fewer than 40 selection is strict and great emphasis is ranking and in each competition.

to jump higher, spin faster and make less times and Gleb given to athletic preparation. A regi- Omega awarded a prestigious watch

splash on entry into the water.” had seven of mented and intense methodical con- by KLAUS for the best dive in each competition.

them with a total struction of technical skills at a young DIBIASI The Arena Champions’ Cup will stay

of 554,70 points! age, and well prepared coaches, com- (former Olympic for another year, its eighth in Stockholm,

He scored an average of 9,3 executing plete this medal producing institution. and World before the host country changes.

Photos: REUTERS









two perfect dives in his list. (In Montreal Economically, the government contri- Champion, Compliments must go to LEN, the

Simply the best – the winner Hu Jia scored 491,76 points butes heavily to the schools which spe- LEN TDC sponsors and the excellent Swedish

China’s top female for his optional dives). Zhou Luxin’s 20 cialise on grooming prospective Olym- Member) organisation, principally with Matz

diver of all time, Guo 7B with a 10 mark across the board, pians. Initially, lack of competition expe- Lindberg who contributed to the suc-

Jingjing triumphed earned the highest score for a single rience was a Chinese weakness, but cess of this fine diving appointment

in Melbourne again dive: 108 points! Only four dives in the not now. year on year.



LEN 33

Magazine

H E A D -T O - H E A D

Armed to the teeth On their way to the gold medal the D.K.: Croatia played very well in the

– warriors from Melbourne:

Postiglione, Bencivenga,

Croatians played with their hottest

rivals: Serbia and Hungary. What

Dénes Kemény semi-final. At one stage they had a

lead of 8-3, and each of their players

Tempesti, Vujasinovic in your view did the Croatians do gave a top performance. In the final

better than the other two gold they utilised the mistakes of the

medal hopefuls? Hungarians, and their goalkeeper did

an excellent job.

R.R.: We prepared for the World







The Giants

Championships in an extremely organ- The surprising success of the Croa-









Photos: REUTERS

ised manner, and our team was a fortu- tians apart, can we consider it

nate blend of young and mature play- sensational that Spain forced both

ers. The older players were also highly Hungary and Serbia to play extra







of Melbourne

motivated and the younger ones had time and that, by beating Serbia

gathered experience at numerous inter- on penalty shots, Spain took the

national matches during 2006. bronze medal? Given those devel-

Melbourne saw the result of some opments, which teams in your

tough work, the success of a team that view are realistic Olympic gold

worked very hard throughout. During medal hopefuls?

the World Championships every player

There were signs of warning at Of the countries mentioned, I know the adhered to our tactical plan with a high

the latest Men’s World Cup United States are the best. When I was level of discipline. The boys were well

Tournament. Only European head coach there, I launched a project Ratko Rudic prepared psychologically: they had

with the 2008 Olympic Games as the self-confidence and were free of stress.

countries could qualify target. Unfortunately, that project I can rely on good players at every

because the right of entrance ended after I left that post, which post: we have good defenders, good

could only be earned by finish- means the USA team can’t profit from shooters, good swimmers and good

ing among the top eight of the what we achieved. The termination of centre players. Our goalkeeper defend-

Montreal World that project is also regrettable ed the goal without mistakes. All the

players performed at maximum level. Dénes Kemény has been head coach of

because more attention should have

Championships. Then history the Hungarian national men’s water polo

been paid both to the first (adult) team

repeated itself: once again in and the pool of junior players to enable

team for eleven years. Melbourne was his

Melbourne only European 21st international competition, where his

their players to perform much better at

teams made it to the best team took their 20th medal. That makes

the last two World Championships.

him the most successful Hungarian train-

eight. Eventually though the The Canadians have improved, as

er of all time. The Hungarian men’s team

end game was somewhat dif- illustrated by their good play against

qualified for the final of the ninth consec-

Romania, and if they play more inter-

ferent: unlike in the past three utive world tournament. Ever since the “Melbourne saw the result of some

national matches their chances will

years, the final pitted Hungary grow. The majority of the Australian

Barcelona World Championships, they tough work, the success of a team that

against Croatia instead of national team play in European clubs.

have been in the final of all the major worked very hard throughout.”

Serbia. championships. They won gold in the first

They are good water polo players indi-

four, and then this has been their fifth

vidually, but need to develop in terms Played for a second

Five of the last six Olympic Games consecutive silver medal. The Hunga-

of tactic and experience. In the fore- – Denes Kemeny

were won by teams led by either Ratko rians won only silver at World Champion-

seeable future, maybe as early as in and Gabor Kis,

Rudic or Dénes Kemeny. In Melbourne ships held in cities where they had previ-

Beijing next year, Australia may sur- after the silver medal

these two coaching giants faced each ously won the Olympic gold medal:

prise us because Europe might send

other at the World Championship final Berlin: 1936 – 1978, Montreal: 1976 –

fewer teams to the Olympic Games,

between Croatia and Hungary. We not 2005, and Melbourne: 1956 – 2007.

increasing the chances of non-

only asked them about the big clash, European teams.

but also about the sport: water polo Dénes Kemény, Head Coach, Hungary:

now, and in the future. It would be better if among the best

Here is the parallel interviews with eight there were teams from other con-

Ratko Rudic and Dénes Kemény. tinents as well. But the results of a

national team are not the only indicator

Neither the United States, nor Aust- you should check when the state of

ralia, Cuba or Canada could make water polo is being assessed in a

it to the best eight either at the two country. In the USA, Australia, Cuba

most recent World Champion- and Canada large numbers of sec-

The Croatians celebrated their first world

ships, or World Cup Tournaments, ondary school, college and university

championship medal, and a gold medal

in your view will that be detrimen- students play water polo every day.

at that. Their head coach, Ratko Rudic,

tal to the international image of

accomplished a unique hat trick: this is

water polo?

the third team – following the Yugoslavs

(1986) and Italians (1994) – that has won

Ratko Rudic, Head Coach, Croatia: Fists and first – Ratko Rudic,

a world championship gold medal under

I don’t think it has done harm to water Maro Jokovic (blue cap)

his training.

polo because several teams outside and Samir Barac (white),

Europe have the chance of progress. key figures in Croatia’s win Photos: REUTERS



34 LEN

Magazine

H E A D -T O - H E A D Women: Sydney memories

R.R.: The Spaniards have made Shower-time! Among the women, no European team

momentous progress. They played a – clash of Gabor Kis of Hungary (blue cap) could make it to the final – for the first

lot of matches last year and profited and Marc Minguell of Spain time in a major world event since

from each of them. Sydney in 2000 (it seems as if Europe

The mix of younger just can’t make a great show in

and older players “From the viewpoint of the audi- D.K.: Thanks to the Australia, as far as making the final is

is optimum in their ence, the occasionally chaotic play is new rules, there is concerned). The title-holding Hunga-

team too, and they more interesting than the static play of more scope for rian squad was the closest to the final

effectively adapted the past.” improvisation. yet but in extra time the future world

to the new rules. Matches have be- champion USA side proved to be

Their defence is tough and can launch come less predictable. Players who stronger. (Hungary was the only coun-

quick counter attacks. Overall, their respond to new situations quicker try to have both national teams reach

play is highly dynamic. In Beijing gold have an advantage. There is increased at least a semifinal in the water polo

medal hopefuls will be the Spaniards, emphasis on physical preparedness. If tournament. Both teams lost in extra

the Serbians, the Hungarians and our a match is goalless for a long time, few time: the women among the best four,

team. Maybe these four teams are players are able to stay in the right the men in the final.)

ahead of the rest but it would be a mis- rhythm. From the viewpoint of the audi- Overall, the Europeans did really well.

take to forget about the Italians, they ence, the occasionally chaotic play is Telling stats Only the Canadians could secure sixth

have high-quality players, with appren- more interesting than the static play of place, with the first five places bagged

ticeship spent in the world’s toughest the past, in which action was mostly A comparison of two World Champion- by teams from the old continent. The









Photos: NIR ELIAS / REUTERS

league championship. Last but not confined to the area before the goals. ships shows that the new rules have European champion team of Russia

least, we haven’t seen Montenegro yet. proved to be efficient: the number of finished third – which means they re-

I think they’ll make it to the Olympics The history of water polo includes world- shots and goals rose steeper than tained their supremacy among the Euro-

where they may even bring surprises. class players such as Gyarmati, playing time. The number of action pean participating teams. Hungary

D.K.: The way I see it this year, four or Sandic, de Magistris and Estiarte. goals has gone up, in which the five- came in fourth and Italy fifth. In other

five countries can realistically aspire to As far as the present water polo metre rule played a decisive role. Since words, the medallists of the Belgrade

the Olympic gold medal. But you can scene is concerned, does it favour it has been allowed to direct the free European Championship made it high-

never be certain: in the knock-out teams of players of equal talent or is throw at the goal from so close, the er than any other teams from Europe.

stage in Melbourne the eventual win- there still scope for unique, individ- number of direct attempts to score a

ner only beat the eventual tenth placed ual accomplishment? goal jumped by 14 times. Although

team by merely one goal. exclusions went up by 20 per cent, the

Women

R.R.: Over the past twenty years number of extraman shots declined. As Montreal Melbourne Diff.

Melbourne was the first World Cham- emphasis has shifted towards team far as the referees’ work is concerned,

pionships where the one-and-a-a a play. Only teams with a strong team the number of penalty shots nearly General Ladies, like gentlemen Head coaches say that nowa-

y o

half-year-old rules were imple- doubled. The vaulting of turnover fouls Playing time (min) 28 32 12.5% – they had a tough tournament, here is

days team play is the name of

mented. Have the new rules done Number of shots 2131 2718 21.6% Italy’s Erzsebet Valkay (white) and New

from 311 to 1230 is flabbergasting. Number of goals 693 878 21.1% the game; even the star players

good to water polo? Has water End of an era Zealand’s Rebecca Guinness

polo become more attractive for have to submit themselves to

Action shots

the audiences? Has the standard Melbourne was the second aquatic world Men Field shots 1023 595 -41.8% spirit have been able to score fine team tactics.

of play risen? Now that the new championships where European men’s Field goals 212 171 -19.3% results. It’s good tactics and coordinat- Manuel Estiarte says the less

rules are in place, are the techni- Montreal Melbourne Diff Centre shots 252 368 31.5% ed play that prevail. No doubt, some

teams went unchallenged by those of Centre goals 63 131 103.8% prominence world-class players

cal differences between the other continents. In Montreal two years Counterattacks 176 136 -22.7% outstanding players are around who

General get, the less enjoyable water

teams more striking or less visible ago the nine European participating Playing time (min) 28 32 12.5% Counteratt. Goals 105 70 -33.3% are ahead of the others individually,

than in the past? teams finished in the first nine places. Number of shots 2203 2697 18.3% Freethr. 7m/5m 46 946 2056.5% but they too have to put their talent at polo becomes.

There was a minor difference in Mel- Number of goals 739 899 17.8% 7m/5m goals 4 183 4575.0% the disposal of the team as a whole.

Efficiency (7/5m) 8.6% 19.3% 110.8%

R.R.: On the whole, the rules have done bourne: the ninth European team finished Action shots (cum) 1497 2045 26.8%

Players such as Vujasinovic or Kásás

Action shots

water polo good. The ball changes 11th, yet no non-European could make it Field shots 990 654 -33.9% Action goals (cum) 384 555 30.8% are among the best in the world, but

hands more often, there are more coun- to the best eight. During the matches to Field goals 216 201 -6.9% even they have to submit their play to

terattacks, and there are more shots at decide the best eight, the USA – tipped to Centre shots 257 307 16.3% Extraman shots the interests of the team as a whole.

the goal – all which makes matches Centre goals 90 104 13.5% Extraman shots 590 597 1.1% D.K.: For several decades now, it’s the

make a good showing – was beaten by Extraman goals 272 266 -2.2%

Counterattacks 167 112 -32.9%

more fun to watch. But after the Olympic Germany. The host team of Australia was Counteratt. goals 86 59 -31.4% Efficiency (ext.) 46,1% 44,5% -3.5% team of cooperating players that mat-

Games it would perhaps be worthwhile beaten by Italy, and Canada – which had Freethr. 7m/5m 59 822 1393.2% ters! True, every good team needs at

to review the rules, and maybe do some had a promising start – was beaten by 7m/5m goals 8 148 185.0% The referees’ work least some players of unusual skills,

fine-tuning. I think free throws from five Russia. Efficiency (7/5m) 13.5% 18.0% 25.0% Exclusions, centre 272 493 44.8% that is to say ‘stars’ – in the best sense

Action shots (cum) 1473 1895 22.3% Exclusions, field 426 384 -9.8%

metres is too close, six metres would be Melbourne saw the end of the three-year Exclusions, all 698 877 20.4%

of the term.

Action goals (cum) 400 512 21.9%

better for a direct shot. Such a change era at which Serbia and Hungary had Penalty shots 43 73 41.1%

would both make play more balanced reserved berths in the final. These two Extraman shots Major fouls, all 741 950 22.0%

and would solve another problem: countries played in the finals of the fol- Extraman shots 692 690 -0.3% Turnover fouls 302 1331 440,7%

presently physical strength plays too Extraman goals 316 326 3.1%

lowing meets: 2004 – World League,

Efficiency (ext.) 45,7% 47,2% 3.1%

much a role. As for the difference Olympic Games, 2005 – World Champi-

between the teams, whatever rules are onships and World League, 2006 – World The referees’ work

in force, they need to be very well pre- Cup and European Championship. In Exclusions, centre 399 641 37.7%

pared for major tournaments because Melbourne however these two powerful Exclusions, field 352 291 -17.3%

Exclusions, all 751 932 20.4%

matches are highly intensive. The better teams did not clash in the final as the Penalty shots 38 70 45.7%

teams will remain better teams – irre- Serbs had been ousted by the Croatians Major fouls, all 789 1002 21.2%

spective of the rules of the game. in the semis. Turnover fouls 311 1230 395,4%



36 LEN

Magazine

Photo: LASZLO BALOGH / REUTERS



INTERVIEW

Farewell party Whatever changes are made to the

– Manuel Estiarte’s last rules, they won’t help much. Whether

appearance during the water polo is played under the old or

Sydney Games the new rules, what really matters is

the attitude of the coaches and the

FINA Technical Water Polo Committee.

The coaches work under the pressure

that their teams must win. To secure

that they think they must slow down





Make

Manuel Estiarte: Let’s

play. They refuse to run risks, they

reject spontaneous play and put too

much emphasis on defense. When it

comes to attacking the opponent’s





Water Polo More Enjoyable!

goal, what only matters is trying to get

an extraman and then score a goal.

Gone are the body maneuvers, unex-

pected feint shots and other tricks.

Their motto is never to commit mis-

takes, rather than attack, and then

We were pleased to see After finishing my career as a player, I block an opponent’s moves. I didn’t capitalize on a mistake of the oppo-

Olympic and World Champion all but turned my back on water polo see any fine shots, only the constant nent.

and hardly ever attended water polo search for extraman situations. Extra-

Manuel Estiarte, living legend of matches. I was sort of fed up – began man, extraman, extraman ! That’s why Would you agree with the opinion that No room for play

water polo, in the audience at the interview. Estiarte is now a high- the picture was so bleak. the last time water polo was fun to – Minguell and Kiss

the European Water Polo ranking sports diplomat: a member of watch was in Sydney? clashes during the

Championships after so many the International Olympic Committee. – Has anything changed now in Mel- Is that what you think? Spain-Hungary semi-

years. The only person to have Last year I decided to go and see the bourne? final

Europeans in Belgrade and believe Not much. Apart from the play of the As an outsider, yes I do.

participated in six Olympic

me, I was amazed at what I saw. Hungarian and the Spanish teams, it’s Let me tell you this. Not even in Ready for the game,

Games as a competitor, was almost the same dull scene. Not that Sydney did I enjoy playing water polo. or rather for the fight

dissatisfied with the standard of Why? those two teams were tops but at least Success really came to me towards – Tamas Kasas,

play in Serbia. We interviewed The play was boring and lacked they tried to play water polo. It’s not by the latter stages of my career: when one of Estiarte’s

him in Melbourne, where he attractive attacking, all I saw was accident that probably the only match we won at the Olympics in Atlanta and favourites

was still unhappy with what he wrestling in the water and attempts to I enjoyed from beginning to end was at the World Championship in Perth.

their semi-final – I had little fun watch- But by that time I didn’t play genuine tournament of my life: the

saw. “The single-minded effort ing the other games. During the water polo... by that time dribbling and 1977 European Champion-

to win kills the beauty of play,” Enjoying the game Hungarian-Spanish match the players the various tricky solutions had gone. ships. Yes, back then in Jön-

he says. – Spain’s Molina and Garcia played great weren’t preoccupied by the desire to What remained instead was static köping real water polo was

in Melbourne pull back the player of the other team. struggle for every position, well-organ- the name of the game! Far-

In that match the play was at least a lit- ised defence and benefiting from the agó, Gerendás, Magistris and

tle bit more enjoyable. As for the other mistakes of the opponent. It was then the Yugoslavs – back then every-

teams, I didn’t like their tactics at all. observers began to write about me: body went for real play. The Hungarians and a high-paced handball or basket-

Their sole aim being to slow down the ‘Yes! That’s what we waited for. Estiarte are still preoccupied with ‘real play’, ball match can easily invigorate spec-

play, have control of the ball and fight has matured and become an intelligent they focus on the ball, not on blocking tators. For the time being water polo is

for every position. Their play totally player. Now he knows how to win. the movement or – worse – pulling lacking such fireworks, and that’s why

lacked dribbling and ingenious back the opponent. The Hungarians it’s moving so slowly worldwide.

maneuvering. Would you like your children to be- still believe in pressing fast-break

come water polo players? attacks, invent new combinations and Will that have a serious consequence?

Are you sure the situation is so bad? I don’t think so. When I go to the swim- are ready to run risks. Credit for that As a member of the IOC, I don’t sense

Let me give you the example of Tamás ming pool in Pescara I see confused should go, among others, to their any serious problems. However, it’s in

Kásás, a star of the Hungarian team. If young people there too. They don’t coach Dénes Kemény. the best interest of water polo that it

anyone, he is a gifted water polo play- understand what’s going on in the renews itself. The pace of play needs

er. But given the present style of the water. I don’t want to criticise the work Are you optimistic or pessimistic about to speed up to make matches action-

game, even he couldn’t unfold his tal- of the coaches and the FINA TWPC – the future of water polo at the Olympics? packed and thrilling.

ent – a most regretful situation. Try as this is just my own Fortunately, there are

he might, not even Tommy could play subjective view of “They refuse to run risks, they some excellent swim-

the way he intended to. The present course. Let me reject spontaneous play and put too mers who are the by GERGELY

style of water polo prevents eminent make one thing much emphasis on defense.” engines of aquatics. CSURKA

players such as Kásás, Perez, Molina clear: water polo Water polo is an im- (Editor,

or Vujasinovic from showing their tal- at its best was last portant sport under LEN Magazine)

ent. played in the first half of the 1960s, the aegis of FINA, so I don’t think it’s in

when a Markovits or a Gyarmati could serious danger yet. It must be clearly

So in your view water polo has slowed show everything they had in the water; seen that all sports seek to become as

down? That seems to contradict the when players were swimming side by enjoyable as possible for the audi-

fact that the new rules introduced in side and paying less attention to one ences. I love basketball and handball

S

BALOGH / REUTER 2005 are meant to speed it up. another. I remember the first major because they are fast and spectacular

Photo: LASZLO



38 LEN LEN 39

Magazine Magazine

Photo: DAVID GRAY / REUTERS



A N A LY S I S

First legs

– Russian girls won cise, they can be underwater and work Ballet of golden girls

everything but the with maximum energy for a whole – when they perform,

solo event minute. it’s rather art than sport

Not that testing the lungs capacity is

the only priority.

“When working out the choreogra-

phy, we make it a point that

the girls should be able to







From Russia,

“They may not look at the sky,

smile and carry a natural the audience or the landscape – only the

facial expression both in the judges. That is of prime importance

beginning and throughout in this discipline.”

the whole routine,” tells







with art

Tatiana Pokrovskaya when

sharing some workshop secrets. “We

ensure that there should be an even

distribution of above- water and under-

water components; that the girls

should be able to control movements

throughout the routine; and they

If it is swimming, it must be the When the Russian women’s team Swimming Committee. “The girls train should smile. It is essential to maintain

USA; if it is diving, it must be shows up at the poolside, the specta- six hours daily, six times a week, over eye contact with the judges: while

tors know what they are going to wit- months and years. In Russia there are being on the surface they must main-

China; and if it is synchronized ness will be a genuine artistic perfor- excellent trainers in that discipline. tain continuous eye contact. They may

swimming, yes, you are right: it mance, as opposed to “just” sport. Synchronized swimming has deep his- not look at the sky, the audience or the

is Russia. The miraculous Synchronized swimming, like figure torical roots in that country, and culture landscape – only the judges. That is of Proud president

Russian ladies have been skating, is extremely popular in the matters a lot. That’s why we can win so prime importance in this discipline.

keeping a firm hold on that dis- East, and the Russians dominate both many contests both adult and in the The girls are expected to enchant LEN Vice President

in the pool and on the ice. age groups.” those who evaluate the routine, and it Gennady Aleshin

cipline. Save the solo, they

“Tremendous hard work is the basis Outstanding in expertise and endu- takes time before the girls get accus- is a synchronised

regularly win all the other on which the Russian success is built,” rance among the trainers is head tomed to that.” swimming expert

events, and by a huge margin says Igor Kartashov, Vice-chairman of coach Tatiana Pokrovskaya, who spends No other country has such a vast – he is also the FINA

at that. What is their secret? the LEN Technical Synchronized 200 days away from her family to supply of potential synchronized swim- Bureau Liaison of the

ensure the national team is as good as ming talent as Russia: the coaches can Synchro Technical

possible. “It’s important the select from more than 4,000 registered Committee. Gennady

swimmers enter the circula- competitors. In fact, the national cham- Aleshin, who is the vice-

tion system of international pionship, which took place early April president of the Russian

sports life, and attend had 285 entrants, with teams entered Olympic Committee

major contests at an early from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad ! watched the performance

age. That’s how the judges “We send numerous Russian train- of the Russian girls in

come to know them,” says ers abroad. When they return, they Melbourne proudly: when-

one of the best qualified share their experiences which means ever these wonderful

trainers in the world. “In a lot to us,” says Igor Kartashov. “All swimmers are called one

Russia preparatory work is over the world people want to learn the can expect magical

well organized. Over a Russian method, the Russian style. moments.

hundred girls work in the The irony of this is that they wish to

various age group nation- outdo the Russians by learning our

al pools. In other words, style. That is a challenge both for us With the girls’ eyes

the trainers of the youth and for them.”

and junior teams are able This is how a member of the winning “There are no special hints or

to choose from highly team, Svetlana Romashina, explained secrets. We all do our best, we try to

capable swimmers.” Russia’s success: work hard and we do everything for

Talking of capabilities, it the results. I’m very glad and thankful

is astounding that the best The Russian power to our coaches for bringing us to this

Russian synchronized level. We train six days a week, three

Solo Team

swimmers, can stay under- 1998, Perth, WC Olga Sedakova (RUS) 1998, Perth, WC Russia

hours in the water. We also do gym

water with a single breath 2001, Fukuoka, WC Olga Brusnikina (RUS) 2000, Sydney, OG Russia and other physical preparation.”

for as long as four minutes 2003, Barcelona, WC Virginie Dedieu (FRA) 2001, Fukuoka, WC Russia Anastasia Davidova, gold medallist

at rest; and when they 2005, Montreal, WC Virginie Dedieu (FRA) 2003, Barcelona, WC Russia in the duet event, spoke of the Russian

“work,” that is during exer- 2007, Melbourne, WC Virginie Dedieu (FRA) 2004, Athens, OG Russia technique of retaining the capability of

2005, Montreal, WC Russia

Duet 2007, Melbourne, WC Russia renewal year after year:

1998, Perth, WC Olga Brusnikina / Olga Sedakova (RUS) “We go to every competition to com-

2000, Sydney, OG Olga Brusnikina / Maria Kisseleva (RUS) Free combination pete and win, not to participate. We

2001, Fukuoka, WC Miya Tachibana / Miho Takeda (JPN) 2003, Barcelona, WC Japan compete not only with opponents but

2003, Barcelona, WC Anastasia Davydova /Anastatsia Ermakova (RUS) 2005, Montreal, WC Russia

Eyeing the top

2004, Athens, OG Anastasia Davydova /Anastatsia Ermakova (RUS) 2007, Melbourne, WC Russia

also against our nerves and ourselves.

– Natalia Ischenko won four 2005, Montreal, WC Anastasia Davydova /Anastatsia Ermakova (RUS) Also we have a great coach and I think

titles in Melbourne 2007, Melbourne, WC Anastasia Davydova /Anastatsia Ermakova (RUS) that’s what makes the difference.”



40 LEN Photo: DAVID GRAY / REUTERS

LEN 41

Magazine Magazine

A N A LY S I S Photos: REUTERS





Cooling down

Britta Kamrau-Corestein was also

– peaceful moments

upset: “Nothing went well. I didn’t find

of the races (Kenny,

anything positive about the race. I

Kudinov, Capell)

couldn’t focus on swimming because I

was always being pulled back and hit

by other swimmers. I just wanted to Sportsmanlike

get out and survive. I was frustrated conduct –

throughout the race and lost a lot of German Thomas







Strikes and kicks –

energy because I had to hit back in Lurz (above) and

order to stay on top of the water. I tried Russian Vladimir

to swim but was always pulled back.” Dyatchnin had

The reasons? Britta has a guess. a great duel









what’s the limit?

“It definitely has something to do in 10 km

with the fact that the 10km

will be an Olympic event.

Everyone is focusing on it

now and there are many

newcomers who think

beating each other up is

The open water events in the Here are some frustrated statements Gold-medallist Larissa Ilchenko also more important than

FINA World Championships in by veteran open water swimmers: went through some pretty tough swimming.”

moments. The men’s field also pro-

Melbourne were hotly

“I’m very upset. A hundred metres “I got hit during the second lap duced some controversy.

contested – and included before the finishing line I was in third because the American (Leah Ging- World Champion Thomas

controversial scenes. Jellyfish position and could even have fought rich) suddenly decided to use breast- Lurz openly criticised

stings were not the only for silver. But then the Australian girl stroke. Her leg kicked me in the eye, what happened during

inconvenience along St. Kilda who came third (Kate Brookes- knocking my goggles off my head. I the 10 km race.

Some observers think the competi-

Beach, there were also Peterson) grabbed me from behind was swimming with one eye open.” “Maybe they should try to reduce the

tion became so aggressive because

moments of tussle. After the and pulled on my swimsuit. I had to (The American’s response: “I honestly number of participants. Fifty swimmers

are just too many. As a medal favourite the referees were too lenient and the

events several swimmers stop and lost about 3m because I had don’t even remember the incident. I

everyone swims behind you, everyone swimming course had an unfortunate

to adjust my goggles.” Comment from certainly didn’t do anything like that on

spoke to the press about Britta Kamrau-Corestein, Germany’s for- purpose. I can’t recall changing my always tries to beat you and kick you. layout. The turns around the buoys be-

scrimmage, unknown in LEN mer world champion after she finished stroke to breaststroke at any point, if I Eventually it annoyed me so much I left came congested with the swimmers,

events and punishable even in the pack for a while. Of course, that and that may have been the source of

4th in the 5 km event. The Germans did I wouldn’t have meant it and it

water polo. The complaints needs a bit more strength, but at least the trouble.

even considered a protest but later would have been quick. I actually got

All in all, the discipline needs more

came mostly from Europeans. didn’t lodge any. dragged underwater by someone as I was on my own.”

Gold medallist Russian swimmer, discipline during competition (see

well at one stage, but that sort of stuff

Alexander Dyatchnin added: Sam Greetham ’s view) to have a pre-

just happens.”

mier in Beijing which draws attention –

Photo: WOLFGANG RATTAY / REUTERS









The other American, Kalyn Keller “The race was very physical.

They’ve put in the big turning buoys, Photos: REUTERS but for the good reasons.

went further:

“It was a rough race, but that was to which isn’t convenient. As you go

be expected. It was intense. Others around, you get hit and there’s lots of

were crying? Well, I was just so sur- contact. My goggles came off twice Hope for Seville

prised, they cry a lot and are such and I had to stop to fix them.”

babies. And I want to make the Euro- Italian Andrea Righi spoke about We asked Sam Greetham, Secretary of be trained to the same level of compe-

peans cry even more ! The American’s how he had lost the lead in the 10 km: LEN Technical Open Water Swimming tence and expertise. Federations new

are going to have such a strong team “Every turn was a fight. I know to be Committee, to comment on what to Open Water Swimming at this level

- this is just the beginning.”) hit is part of the game. But I received should be the limit of swimmers’ will need to be provided with every

Actually, it was Ilchenko, who evalu- an elbow in my mouth; I was punched behaviour. opportunity to broaden their experience

ated the event most honestly: “Yester- in the eyes, the ribs and the head. “To start with, the new type of a start in order that potential Open Water

day everyone was so kind and friendly, Every time you lose position it be- caused some confusion. It was intro- Olympic Referees are trained to a uni-

wishing each other good luck. Today comes more difficult to make it up and duced without asking the opinion of versal level as befits the sport.”

all the smiles were wiped off. It was a go back to the lead.” swimmers beforehand,” Sam Greetham In the spring, Seville will host the

fight from the first moment of the day.” Dutchman Maarten van der Weijden at said. As for tussle among the swim- Qualification World Championships

The 10 km was an even more disap- least admitted he belonged to those who mers, Greetham comments are as fol- where Olympic berths are at stake.

pointing for some. enjoyed the fight. “The lows: „Open Water is Hopefully, there will be more gentle

Angela Maurer of Germany told the last 300m are very now an Olympic waves – in the lake and among the

press: physical. I really like “Everyone was just beating each Sport. It is essential swimmers, too.

“Everyone was just beating each the pushing and other up. I have never experienced that standards of

other up. I have never experienced pulling and the kick- such a race before - it was horrible!” officials are the

such a race before - it was horrible!” ing in the last part. same across all u u u

(Would you like to post your comment?

Because I am a tall participating Open u

Where should be the limit in the swim-

Who’s next? strong guy, it really doesn’t bother me!” Water Federations. Referees in partic- u

mers’ behaviour in open water events?

– former world champion, Britta Kamrau- Yet many are bothered so what can ular can expect to have their every u

Let us know your opinion. The LEN

Corestein was upset by the agression of be done to avoid these things happen- decision scrutinised in the 'warm up' to g u

Magazine offers a forum for such dis-

the women’s competition ing? and at the Olympics. Therefore all must u

cussion.)



42 LEN LEN 43

Magazine Magazine

T I T- B I T S Pair play

– the love of Laure and

Luca is one of sports’

great romances









Messages of love

– signs and tattoos

of Laure









L. M. with L. M.

A love story based in Verona ‘”We send 500 sms texts to each other “It is nothing to do with luxury or star-

(well, half) about two people every day, the only time we don’t com- dom, I just need Luca. The most

municate is when we are either training important thing for me is to spend

we know very well – the or sleeping. I need Luca and can’t wait some happy hours with him whenever

Verona-based Italian, Luca for the moment we meet again” – possible. He is thoughtful, takes care

Marin, and World’s top female Laure said to Paris Match in the winter. of me, and is always surprising me

swimmer, Laure Manaudou. Well, that was not so easy as with small gifts - it’s so sweet!“

Manaudou usually trained in Canet-en- They have common language, thanks

Unlike in Shakespeare’s drama, no one Roussillion, while Marin had his ses- to Luca, “ I’ve decided to learn French

wants to separate the lovers. In our sions in Torino. Good news for their and have been taking lessons for six

version it was distance that kept them mobile-phone companies. months and now am able to give inter-

apart. However, unlike in Romeo and Nevertheless, weekends belonged to views in French. When passion fires

Juliet’s medieval times, our lovers have them alone and sometimes Laure trav- you up everything is much easier, isn’t

mobile phones. When love was at elled by private jet. Of course whispers it?!’” said Marin in Men’s Health

stake there was no difference between spreaded this was an unnecessary Magazine. “Distance is the real prob-

virtuality and reality. luxury, but Manaudou had her answer, lem. We usually meet at weekends -

in Paris or Barcelona - but it’s difficult

to date under these circumstances”

The best fuel before It all began at the Europeans in

any race: the pairs’ Budapest. A smart sms from Laure’s

results are mobile to Luca’s – and the heat was

getting better on. At first it was just a nodding

acquaintance, which then turned into

one of the biggest ever swimming pool

romances. Now they are like two stars Last minute information

in the sky, “I’m in my seventh heaven!“ The unthinkable has happened, just as

exclaimed Laure. “In 2006 I won every- in Shakespeare’s plays. Laure has left

thing and met Luca too - with Luca I but proof of her dedication to her Photos: her coach Philippe Lucas for a life in

have found true love and maybe the REUTERS

beloved. Italy with Luca. Just 15 months out

future father of my children!” Just before they met Luca moved to from the Olympic Games in Beijing,

Some feared love would harm their Torino and signed a six-year contract the Manaudou-Lucas era is over. Now,

achievements, but there has been no which does not allow him to go to she is reported to have taken up resi-

drop in performance levels. What’s Laure’s French club, though they dence with Marin in Turin. A source is

more, Luca won his first major title in showed interest. On Laure’s part, she quoted by L’Equipe as saying: “She

December finally beating Laszlo Cseh, has become almost as popular as was happy here, but she’s not leaving

king of the individual medley-events. Zinedine Zidane in France and has just for her little friend - she’s seen

“Absentminded in the pool ? No, not at considerable market value, it seemed other things, other choices. She’s

all! Love makes us faster in the water!’ impossible for an offer to be made by realised that swimming can be differ-

he explained – and the results justified it. Torino. So, they had to remain patient ent. Seven years of doing the same

Again in Helsinki, Laure showed her and trust each other for the timebeing. thing, well, she didn’t feel right in the

best, completing a season full of suc- Marin is staying in the same house as ‘During the last week of final prepara- group. Philippe wanted more and

cess gaining gold medals and world team-mate Federica Pellegrini. “No tion in the Seychelles I had withdrawal more every day.” Doing the same

records. However, it wasn’t only these matter”, said Laure, ‘No, I’m not jeal- symptoms... It was so hard without thing has led to some very big results,

achievements that got her on to the ous. Definitely not. His heart is mine. her...’ - said Luca. of course. Time will tell whether

front pages, she swam in an Italian cap Love makes me feel safe and life is Manaudou will make her way back to

at the Short Course European Cham- sweet.’ It was painful for them to be Well, we all know love hurts - just read Lucas or not. (Excerpt by Craig Lord

pionship. Something really strange – apart for long periods. William Shakespeare! was taken from swimnews.com)



44 LEN

Magazine

...AND NOW?

T I T- B I T S

King David – David





...AND NOW?

Meca conquered the

hearts of the audience









Dancing

with the

swimmers

Swimmers don’t just crawl – they can do popular dancers in the recent Italian In ‘Dancing with the Stars’ the longer

other things with their feet! edition of the show, although his marks you can stay in the show the better

The TV show ‘ Dancing with the Stars’ has hit from the jury might have been higher and as far as endurance is concerned,

several European countries recently due to the fact that the president came David Meca is a perfect choice as he

from the aquatic community as well: as was 25km World Champion in 2003 in

featuring many former and current stars

a water polo player we know him Carlo Barcelona. The open water specialist

of European aquatics. Pedersoli, but for the world he is just performed great dances and went the

Bud Spencer. distance reaching the Super Final of

Alexander Popov Champions of the

Water polo players can do the twist the show, finishing third. In Israel Eitan

floor – Agnes

as well ! Olympic champion with Yugo- Orbach was invited to the show.

Four time Olympic champion, and the slavia and silver medallist with Croatia, Not only gents took the floor: apart

Kovacs and Attila

undoubted king of sprint events, Dubravko Simenc was a class above from de Bruijn another female Olympic

Czene (below) were

Alexander Popov is the first man since the rest in the pool. His enormous shot champion was selected. Hungarian

the most popular

Johnny Weissmuller to defend his title was feared by many goalies – later he Agnes Kovacs won three bronze

competitors

in the 100 m free in the Olympics. After had a shot on the dance floor. Well, medals at the Budapest European

Photo: Bence

suffering a savage knife attack follow- two shots actually, as he was eliminat- Championships and won hearts as

Barsony

ing the 1996 Games he underwent life- ed in the second round. well. In the show ‘Saturday Night

saving surgery and still managed to Fever’ in Hungary she was extremely

win two European Titles in the follow- popular, but couldn’t defend the ‘swim-

Franziska van

200m samba...

ing year. “My soul wasn’t damaged, – Massimiliano mer’s title’ (held by Attila Czene) and Almsick

my brain wasn’t damaged, only my Rosolino and his part- bid farewell in the early stages.

body” – he said afterwards. After fail- The show has featured more swim- ’Franzi’ reached enormous heights dur-

ner were a hit in Italy

ing to fulfill his dream of becoming the mers worldwide too, the most notable ing her career but didn’t win everything –

Photo: Courtesy RAI

first swimmer to win the 100m in three being four time Olympic Champion and the Olympic gold medal eluded her. Her

consecutive Olympics he accepted living legend Dawn Fraser from Down fantastic World Record breaking swim in

defeat like a true sportsman: “I can’t Under, and double Olympic gold medal- lane 8 at the Rome World Champion-

Inge de Bruijn from the Netherlands, ships remains a most memorable aquat-

win everything, I have to share.” list Danyon Loader of New Zealand.

Despite this set back, he decided to four times Olympic Champion was the ic moment, yet it was breaking her own 8

take part in a fourth Olympics after first to step on the dance floor. Part- year old World Record in the 200m free

having a clean sweep of the 50m and nered with Remco Bastiaansen she at the 2002 European Championships in

100m events in Barcelona, but came did really well in the show aired in the her home city of Berlin which made her a

home empty handed. autumn of 2005. Next came Hungarian swimming legend.

Attila Czene, 1996 Olympic Champion, Franzi is now one of the happiest

As spokesman for Omega Watches he whose involvement was inevitable as woman in the world after the birth of

now resides in Solothurn, Switzerland his wife Petra Banhidi is a professional her first baby in January. After many

but plans to coach as he has both a dancer (and Argentinian Tango World years of her name being linked with

Bachelor and a Master’s Degree in Champion). The couple’s perfor- one of the most extraordinary German

Sports Coaching from the Russian mances were real hits and they even- sportsmen – handball player Stefan

Academy. Currently he has full mem- tually won the first series there in the Kretzschmar – van Almsick began a

bership status of the International beginning of 2006. Czene’s usual end new life in 2004 with German entrepre-

Olympic Committee and holds the of show remark “ Everybody will learn neur Jürgen B. Harder and later moved

position of the Honorary Secretary to swim at once !” Became a saying in to Heidelberg to be with him. Their little

within the IOC Athletes Commission. the country. boy is called Hugo Don: Hugo was the

It seems, 200m IM Olympic event name of Jürgen’s late father, while Don

winners must have something extra: is the short form of Donald which is

Czene triumphed in 1996, followed by derived from the ancient Celtic name

Massimiliano Rosolino in 2000. Cer- Domhnall meaning ‘World ruler’.

tainly Rosolino was one of the most We just can’t wait for the 2024 Games!

46 LEN LEN 47

Magazine Magazine

T I T- B I T S COMING UP



Perfect perspectives

= 106,000 at stake in Paris

C









Photos: REUTERS

It’s all the same, whether you watch it

from the air..







...or from the surface...







The famous Lagardere Paris Racing in 10,000 euros, the fourth 5,000 euros

Paris will host a miniature world cham- and the fifth 3,000 euros.

pionship with 32 events, roughly a year Ticket sales will be on sale soon at a

before the Beijing Olympic Games. cost of 18 euros and a four-day pass

The tournament organisers anticipate will cost 60 euros. Paris in the centre – LEN Vice President

the attendance of outstanding Euro- For further information, please visit Francis Luyce and the French Federation

pean swimmers and have opened it to www.opendeparisdenatation.com prepare a great show

others as a challenge. Initiated by

LEN, the tournament should prove to

be an interesting test meet and cer- Comparisons

tainly a golden opportunity to win

Euros. The total prize money amounts Event Prize money

...for sure, synchronised water polo is worse... World Championships (SW) 960 000 USD

to 106,000 euros. World Short Course Ch. 400 000 USD

The results will be added together, in Open de Paris 100 000 EUR

compliance with the FINA points table, European Short Course Ch. 35 000 EUR

...than synchronised swimming! ensuring five women and men will

Event Awarded Distribution (thous.)

take home hefty prize money. The World Championships (SW) First three, each event 12-7-5

amounts will be equal for men and World Short Course Champs. First three, each event 5-3-2

women, with the cumulative winner of Open de Paris First five, total event 20-15-10-5-3

the Paris Open receiving 20,000 euros, European Short Course Ch. First seven, total event 5-3-2-1.5-1.5-1.5-1.5

the second 15,000 euros, the third





See You in Eindhoven!

Tongelreep’, officially opened on Friday

Melbourne produced major champions pionships 2008 in Eindhoven in such a 27 and Saturday 28 April. It is equipped

and world-beating performances. successful and innovative way that it with the latest technological develop-

Results we can recollect with pleasure. will promote the sport of swimming, ments in the field of swimming and

But looking back is something the reinforce its image, and give lasting im- located in the bustling sport centre of

organisers of the European Swimming petus to the sport of swimming”. Eindhoven. Internationally, the ECs are

Championships in Swimming, Diving The ECs will not only be a spectacu- already the focus of growing attention.

and Synchronised Swimming do very lar tournament for swimming; athletes This we know from the high number of

little. Their gaze is firmly fixed on the will also compete for visitors to the official website:

future. In March 2008, Eindhoven will European titles in diving and www.ecswimming2008.nl.

be not only be the city of technology, synchronised swimming. The Via this site it will be possible

but also the swimming city of Europe. organising committee is aim- to book hotel accommodation

Certainly, for many national and interna- ing high so visitors, television for all categories: athletes,

tional athletes, it will be their next “stop” viewers, swimming enthusi- enthusiasts and family too. In

and so 13-24 March is already high- asts, staff and especially ath- addition the media will be able

lighted in their diaries. letes can experience a TOP to obtain their accreditation via

In order to ensure the success of the event they will never forget. the site, and all visitors can subscribe to

event, the organisers of the European Such an event of course demands the ECs News Letter.

Championships have made the follow- exceptional accommodation. This A Championships office has been

...or from below... ...or from down under... ing statement their mission: “To organ- accommodation is the newly-built established to answer any questions

ise the European Swimming Cham- National Swimming Centre ‘De you may have.



48 LEN LEN 49

Magazine Magazine

NEXT ONE, PLEASE!



Watch for the next issue of LEN Magazine in August









orth

Paris is well w

a mass...

test. Who are the

...and a major con

st swimming

stars at summer’s bigge

de Paris?

meet, the Open de Natation ar to go

Beijing: one ye qualification in the

out ab

Progress report e got?

How far has Europ

five disciplines. cedures change

How did qualification pro

mpic Games?

at successive Oly









Otylia’s secret

life, Poland’s

the shock of her

Having overcome ion Otylia

l Olympic champ

swimming marve to her peak.

Jedrzejczak returns









The ball keeps

bouncing

ian

Final Four: an Ital

club with Serb,

arian

Croatian or Hung

n,

aces, or a Croatia

n

Serb or Hungaria

club without

foreigners?









How to motivate athletes?

Should trainers be stricter, prize money higher or what?

What is the most efficient method?

Let us have your opinion or comment. Write to us at

lenmagazine@lenmagazine.com









ede

pionships prec

European Cham

Olympic Games morning in Eindhoven? No!

in the

Swimming events

But why?