Open Water Star Alex Meyer Out of Pan Am Games

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 6

October 04th, 2011 National

Alex Meyer, who became the first American in any sport to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, has been removed from the USA Swimming roster for the 2011 Pan American Games that will begin in less than two weeks. Meyer was to swim the 10k, which is the only open water event of the Pan Am Games.

Meyer qualified for the Olympics by way of his 4th-place finish in the 10km swim at the Shanghai World Championships in July. The top-10 finishers in that meet all earned their way automatically through to London.

Meyer would have been the heavy favorite to win Pan American gold in the event. The race should now be between Canada’s Richard Weinberger, Brazil’s Allan do Carmo, and Mexico’s Luis Ricardo Escobar Torres.

Venezuela’s Erwin Maldonado and Argentina’s Guillermo Bartola could also be a factor, though they generally tend towards the longer, 25km race.

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don
12 years ago

Another swim site is reporting he withdrew for two reasons:injury that prevented him from training effectivly and desire to spend the anniversary of Fran’s death with the Crippen family. I had heard previously his back was bothering him but he doesnt specify the injury in his statement.

Can’t believe it has all ready been one year since Fran died. Still hard to take in.

Waterman
12 years ago

I am interested to know the why as well. Where do Frayler and Peterson train? Can they be ready to go if they get the nod?

joe
12 years ago

does anyone know why he backed out? anyone going to replace him from usa?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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