Nathan Adrian wins 50 free in Marseille in 21.75
March 2nd, 2013 by Annette GriffusBremerton’s Nathan Adrian won the 50-meter freestyle at the 2nd International Meeting of the Mediterranean in Marseille, France, Saturday morning (local).
Adrian touched the wall in the sprint race in 21.75, holding off France’s speedy Florent Manaudou in 21.83. California’s Anthony Ervin was third in 22.01.
Manaudou is the current Olympic champion.
To put those times in perspective, the current world record is 20.91 in 2009 by Brazil’s Cesar Cielo. The Olympic Games record is 21.30, set in 2008. I don’t think a 21.50 is out of the question this summer for the World Championships in Barcelona, but, the time is a by-product of the race as the 50 is all about getting to the wall first.
It was good to see Nathan swimming fast considering he has added 10 pounds of muscle since he won two golds and a silver at the London Olympics last summer.
I know that it absolutely irked Nathan not to have swam the 50 in London and he’s showing he’s more than ready to make a run at the world title and possibly the record.
Nathan’s not done yet in Marseille. He will swim in the 100 free as well on Sunday.
Here’s the link to the website with live results. Also, they do have pictures from the event and of Marseille. If I was there, I would be the most unproductive reporter ever. That is a beautiful city!
And one more side note: Nathan is undefeated in his races in 2013. I know he pulled out of the meet in Austin in January, but that was due to an injury and he did have the top time in the prelims.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:21 am
Nice article and great swim for nathan! just one small correction…the current world record is actually 20.91 set by cielo in 2009 (in a now-banned suit). The Olympic Games record is 21.30.
Great win for Nathan to beat the reigning Olympic 50m champion from London!
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:31 am
Ah, I knew I shouldn’t have trusted the internet. I’ll get that changed.
Thanks!