The 50 free final in Istanbul really lived up to the pre-race hype. Florent Manaudou was going for a rare triple crown, Olympic, European and World champion in the same year. Vladimir Morozov had other ideas.
Manaudou blasted off the blocks as strongly as usual, but couldn't build a lead over Morozov as they took the turn together. The Russian then showed that there is nobody faster than him on top of the water as he pulled away from the field on the second 25m.
The winning time, 20.55, was sensational. Only Cesar Cielo has been faster in a textile suit (20.51) and Roland Schoeman's world record of 20.30 doesn't seem out of reach. In fact, a combination of Manaudou's dynamite start (or Schoeman's for that matter) with Morozov's speed might just have cracked the world record.
Mark down Saturday 3 August 2013 in your diary. That's when Morozov, Manaudou, Cielo, Schoeman, Jones, Ervin, Fratus et al will rumble in the 50 free final at Worlds in Barcelona. It has the potential to be a classic.
@speed_endurance Had to live up to the given by you "Siberian Sizzler" :)
— Vladimir Morozov (@v1addy) December 14, 2012
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