2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Rio Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas won her first ever Olympic medal tonight – a bronze – in the women’s 800 freestyle, breaking her own national record in the process.
Kapas actually broke the national record in yesterday morning’s prelims, clocking 8:19.43 to qualify 2nd for the final only trailing world record holder and defending Olympic champion Katie Ledecky.
Everyone knew coming in it would be Ledecky against herself and then everyone else fighting for silver.
Kapas rose to the occasion, knocking another three seconds off her national record in 8:16.37, winning bronze. Ledecky won in a new world record time of 8:04.79, while Great Britain’s Jazz Carlin won silver in 8:16.17.
This is Kapas’ second major international medal, as she won bronze in the 1500 last year at the World Championships.
After the race Kapas commented on her performance and how her recent change of clubs has helped her get here.
“I wanted to swim with all of my energy and all of my strength. I left everything in the pool – my heart, my soul, my everything – and I am very happy about this bronze medal.”
“Last December, I went to another club and it was the best decision of my life. I have new coaches and they were very professional in every way so I am very happy that I am in this club now and I think I can thank them for this medal.”
Kapas’ bronze gives Hungary their fourth medalist in swimming, and their 7th medal overall. They are being led by Katinka Hosszu, who has won three golds and added a silver tonight in the 200 back. Laszlo Cseh also added to their count in the 100 fly, finishing in the first 3-way tie in Olympic history for silver.
Hungary’s other medalist was a surprise, with Tamas Kenderesi winning bronze in the men’s 200 fly.
What an amazing swim from Bogi! Congrats SwimSwam for guessing the 7 medals. I hoped for more, but some of our swimmers underperformed, not just in the race for medals but for semifinals, finals. There’s even more in this team, i hope that they prove it in Budapest.