Davie Nadadores coach Alex Pussieldi is the author of the Brazilian blog “Blog do coach,” and consistently has his finger directly on the pulse of Brazilian swimming. His latest post is incredibly exciting, as he’s leaked the existence of an upcoming made-for-tv grudge match in Brazil that will take place on September 23rd.
For those questioning the value of 50 meter races in elite swimming, this mini-meet will be a huge test of the short-distance draw, as it pits Brazil, the United States, Australia, and France against each other in a series of 50 meter challenges.
Each country will bring four athletes: a backstroker, a breaststroker, a butterflier, and a freestyler. They will be pitted in a 50 meter race of each stroke (with 1 point going to the winner) and a 4×50 medley relay (worth 3 points). There will be a 100,000 Real prize pool, which is the equivalent of $50,000. The winning team will share $25,000, the runners up will get $12,500, whoever takes 3rd will get $7,500, and the fourth place country $5,000. The event will be televised live in Brazil.
In the relay, the teams will be set in two brackets, with the winner of each going to the head-to-head championship match.
Full details and lineups are expected to be revealed on Monday, but from what has leaked out about the French roster, this event is drawing huge talent. The French team will include, in the least, Camille Lacourt, Fred Bousquet, and 50 freestyle Olympic Champion Florent Manaudou. Cesar Cielo’s participation has not been confirmed yet, as he’s taking a bit of a training break until the second week of September.
The only flaw of this event, expected to draw huge crowds to Rio’s Julio Delmare center (and more on TV), is the scoring system; effectively, the only race that matters is the medley, unless one country is able to somehow win all four individual races and still lose the relay.
Does it include men and women
As of now, sounds like just men.
This is awesome!!! Such a great idea for fast high stakes, entertaining swimming. Bravo to whoever came up with the idea! This meet does not look to be in the favor of the USA, because besides freestyle we’ve haven’t had too much success in the 50’s at worlds.
You’ve given leaked info on the French; did they leak anything about the US swimmers?
Haven’t heard anything yet.
Brazil confirmed their roster.
Pretty weak roster they choose to be honest.
Except for Fratus no big guns.. maybe orzechowskiy on 50 back.. but no Cielo, Santos, and others..