Swimming: Coach marvels at breathtaking efforts by the world's best swimmers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Clive Rushton has seen the world's best but even he had to pinch himself as he witnessed one of the great contests at the world swimming championships.

Swimming New Zealand's director of coaching is in Barcelona as team manager, and said the men's 100m butterfly was one of a number of outstanding races at the championships.

"It was astounding to see the 100m fly record smashed the way it was," said Rushton. Michael Klim's four-year-old record of 51.81s was broken firstly by Ukraine swimmer Andriy Serdinov who did 51.76s. Within a couple of minutes that was gone as American wonderkid Michael Phelps swam 51.47s in winning the second semifinal.

"Then, in last night's final, they both got beaten with another American Ian Crocker swimming 50.98s. Going under 51s for the first time represented an improvement of nearly 2 per cent, which at this level is unbelievable. At these championships that one record has been broken four times by three different swimmers.

"Right across the board the depth has been incredible. The standard is probably higher than it has been at any other competition."

As another example, 49.9s was not good enough to make the semifinals in the men's 100m freestyle, even though anyone swimming sub-50s is regarded as a serious sprinter.

Rushton, like many, had doubts about the suitability of the portable pool used for the championships. Not any more.

"There were some concerns when we arrived about the shape of the pool, the lanes ropes and the turbulence, but by the time the championships got under way the problems had been sorted out."

The use of these types of pools, which could be erected in a big stadium within a couple of weeks, would encourage more cities to bid to host the championships.

"The world body will insist on providing different venues for swimming, diving and synchronised swimming. It is not a massive cost but it is still extremely expensive to host a championship.

"Even allowing you could set up at a stadium like the Cake Tin, it is unlikely New Zealand could ever afford to bid. It would cost New Zealand $1 million to host a two-day World Cup meeting. These championships are over eight days."

Montreal will host the 2005 championships and Melbourne the 2007 contest, a year after the next Commonwealth Games.

While sharing his swimmers' disappointment in failing to win a place in the 4x200m freestyle relay at next year's Athens Olympics, Rushton is convinced it is only a matter of time before they book their ticket.

"If they hadn't been disqualified they would have been on their way already," said Rushton.

"We need to find a competition where there is a 4x200m freestyle on the programme. While the girls we have here did so well, there are two or three swimmers back in New Zealand who could push for places next time."

Rushton, who works closely with coaches Jan Cameron and Duncan Laing, sees the US nationals in December as a likely meet for the relay team.

"Timing is important. We will have to work in with Jan and Duncan and any other coaches to find a time which fits in."

Rushton said the overall performance by the New Zealand team could in no way be described as a resounding success.

But he remains hopeful that 10 New Zealand swimmers will make it to the Olympics.

"We have seven here and some have done well. Helen Norfolk, Hannah McLean and Alison Fitch [in the ill-fated relay] have all done well."

Dean Kent, Liz van Welie and Norfolk were all in action in the last session of the championships overnight. "It has also been a great learning experience for Corey Swanepoel. He is world-class potential."

pf* Auckland diver Kaitlyn White just missed qualifying for the Olympics at the World Diving Championships in Barcelona.

White, at 15 the second-youngest competitor at the championships, finished 15th in the preliminaries for the 10m platform. A top-12 finish would have won her a place in Athens. Anna Thomas finished 16th (from 34) in the 1m springboard and 27th (of 44) in the 3m.

Hampered by the closing of the diving pool at the West Wave Aquatic Centre, the divers get their next chance at February's World Diving Cup in Greece.

Coach Steven Zhu remains hopeful three New Zealand divers will qualify.