2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Full Swimming Schedule
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Pick ’em Contest
- How To Watch
- Entry Lists
- Live Results
- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3| Day 4
One of the shockers of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games came in the heats of the men’s 200m butterfly where reigning silver medalist from Tokyo, Tomoru Honda fell short of making the top 16.
During this morning’s heats, 22-year-old Honda stopped the clock at a time of just 1:57.30, placing 22nd and well out of this evening’s semi-finals.
Compare that to the 1:53.73 which landed him on the podium in Tokyo, the 1:53.66 he put up for bronze at the 2023 World Championships and the 1:53.15 he logged at last year’s Asian Games and it made one wonder if the #5 performer of all time was suffering from illness or injury.
However, post-race, Honda told Asian media that it was simply a case of his nerves getting the better of him ahead of his Paris debut.
“(For some reason) my mindset was to play it safe,” Honda said after exiting the pool. “I didn’t feel lethargic or anything.
“I stood on the starting block with the intention of doing everything I could, but I couldn’t perform.” (Kyodo)
Honda continued, “I just feel a sense of emptiness. I didn’t think I’d be so nervous that my body would freeze up, and I don’t even know how to respond.” (NHK)
Honda will have to watch from the sidelines as the following 8 competitors nailed times good enough to make it into tomorrow night’s main event.
- Kristof Milak (HUN) – 1:52.72
- Leon Marchand (FRA) – 1:53.50
- Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 1:54.01
- Noe Ponti (SUI) – 1:54.14
- Kregor Zirk (EST) – 1:54.22
- Krzysztof Chmielewski (POL) – 1:54.28
- Alberto Razzeti (ITA) – 1:54.51
- Martin Espernberger (AUT) – 1:54.62
If Honda was Lebron he would’ve blamed his teammates, coach, and said he didn’t have enough help before forcing his way to a new team
Well put
Laszlo Cseh had a similar thing happen in 2016 I believe
Snoop Dogg can help him out with that
Compared to Tokyo, he was definitely a favorite heading into Paris. It appears the expectations got the better of him. Shame because he could’ve made finals given his form.
He just like me fr but in dual meets vs bum college programs🤞🤞
What a very humble response. I hope he bounces back.
Agreed…could’ve blamed his ankle injury, etc but owned up