George Bovell, who was a bronze medalist in the 200 IM at the 2004 Olympics, was in a severe car accident last Friday, but is now resting comfortably at home, report Trinidadian officials. As he was returning from practice in Mayaro on the island of Trinidad, his BMW was hit by a truck on the driver’s side.
A fortuitous lean to the passanger’s side spared Bovell from the worst of things, but he still received several lacerations on his head and was reportedly briefly knocked unconscious. He is now resting comfortably at home after being released from the hospital. I have been unable to find any pictures of the vehicles, but second-hand reports seem to indicate that it was pretty nasty.
Bovell was to have been a favorite to medal at Octoer’s Pan Am Games in the 50 free. The veteran 28-year old is one of the annual stars of that event, with 5 career medals to his name. Though nothing has been ruled out, my speculation would be that this will keep him out of that event. With the severity of the injuries, there are likely to be stitches and much healing that will have to take place before he’s allowed back in the water, and I can’t see him getting back into serious training until at least the third week of September or so, which would leave him with just three weeks to prepare.
At the recent World Championships in Shanghai, Bovell swam a 22.04 to place 7th in the men’s 50 freestyle. That’s a textile-best time for the converted middle-distance swimmer.
He swam at the Bolles School in Florida in high school before going on to win 5 NCAA Titles and 25 All-American Awards for Auburn from 2002-2006
Best wishes to Bovell in his recovery
