2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Sunday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 30th
- Budapest, Hungary
- LCM (50m)
- Full Competition Schedule
- Meet Info
- Psych Sheets
- Omega Results
- Pick ’em Contest
- Event-by-Event Previews
Australian Mack Horton didn’t show for his heat in the men’s 800 free prelims on day 3 in Budapest.
Horton is already four swims deep at the World Championships, earning silver in the 400 free on day 2 before placing 11th, out of the final, in the men’s 200 free last night. The move will give him a few days rest prior to the men’s 4×200 free relay on day 6 and the 1500 free on days 7 and 8.
The 3rd seed in the race coming in, Horton won the bronze medal in this event at the 2015 World Championships, despite dealing with a parasitic bug that left him out of the 400 final.
The 2016 Olympic gold medalist in the 400 free also won silver in the 800 at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships, and was the 2013 World junior champion.
In his absence Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri qualified 1st for the final in 7:45.31. Also qualifying for the final were Horton’s fellow 400 free medalists, Sun Yang and Gabriele Detti.
Is there any penalty for a no show?
No. Where would you draw the line ? You have a cut-off date for nominations before the event to give the officials sufficient time to organise seedings and the startlists. Whilst withdrawals seem annoying, there are always the percentage of cases where the swimmers IS ill/injured and legitmately unable to compete as well as those that may be more “last minute recalculation” of their race program.
I had to plead my case with the meet referee to withdraw from a 200 fly final due to acute illness. Otherwise I would have been DQ’d in my next event. I realize that was partly because it was a finals swim, but I’m still surprised by the casualness of the no-show at this level of meet.
Clearly I should have just swam a 50 fly and gotten out. 😉
Tempting to say that its due to Sun Yang being “a biiigg meanie” and hurting his delicate fee-fees but the reality is that he was always likely to drop an event somewhere and it was going to come down to either the 800 or the 200. He has a relay commitment with the 4×200 (although they’re realistically just making up the numbers) so that probably swung the choice.
He’s not robbing any other AUS of a swim as the only other remotely competitive distance freestyler is McLoughlin and all the other 200 freestylers on the team are 1.47men at best
What’s going on with Clark Smith? He was approx. 2:01 on the last 200. He’s a mid-season 8:33 1000 freestyler.
His first LC major international meet in his best events. His issues are mental. Am sure he will bounce back next year as he did at NCAAs.
I am sure he is disappointed but at least he didn’t bomb it like he is so capable of doing.
what’s the problem with this drama king?
He’s only good for one decent swim per meet.
Was he scared of Sun Yang?
Just like Sun scared of Paltrineiri in 2015..
Karma coming back to bite him. Sun cant be bothered with mr. drama. Hes focused, trains hard, and gives his all everytime hes in the pool. Thats what I admire about SUN.