The men’s 400 freestyle final was a big surprise at the Tokyo Aquatics Center on Sunday. Tunisian Ahmed Hafnaoui won in 3 min 43 s 36/100.
The swimmer was however in the outer lane, number 8. He beat Australian Jack McLoughlin (3: 43.52) and American Kieran Smith (3: 43.94) in a very close race.
I was surprised, that’s for sure. It’s incredible. I didn’t believe it until I hit the wall and saw I was first. I dedicate my victory to all Tunisians, said the athlete at a press conference.
I am so happy to win this gold medal. I felt good in the water and went fast, it comes down to it.
A quote from: Ahmed Hafnaoui, Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle
He couldn’t contain his emotions in the pool. Encouraged by the cries of his trainer in the stands, he jumped on the ropes.
A Canadian in the 100m butterfly final
Margaret MacNeil qualified for the 100m butterfly final. The 21-year-old Ontarian crossed the distance in 56.56 s, a good time for third place in her heat. Her compatriot Katerine Savard took the last place in the race in 58.10 s and will miss the final.
The time to beat to secure her qualification among the fastest eight swimmers was 57.19 seconds. China’s Yufei Zhang was the fastest in the semi-finals in 55.89 seconds.
Earlier today, Sydney Pickrem medal hopeful an annoncé son retrait du 400m quatre nages, for which she was one of the favorites. The Canadian made this decision due to a medical reason unrelated to COVID-19.
