CATE CAMPBELL DOWNS OLYMPIC RECORD IN 100 FREESTYLE
Australia’s Cate Campbell was the fastest swimmer in the heats of the women’s 100m freestyle this morning. The world record holder was the only swimmer under 53-seconds, breaking defending Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidijojo’s Olympic record of 53.00 with a time of 52.78.
EVGENY RYLOV TOPS FIELD IN 200 BACKSTROKE HEATS
Although there weren’t any real standout times in the men’s 200m backstroke heats, Russia’s Evgeny Rylov was the clear leader with a 1:55.02. He led by almost half a second over Xu Jiayu of China who took the second overall qualifying spot in 1:55.51. Defending world champion Mitch Larkin and both Americans advance to the semifinals.
WORLD RECORD HOLDER RIKKE MOLLER PEDERSEN LOOKING SMOOTH HEADING INTO SEMIS
World record holder Rikke Moller Pedersen looked very smooth and controlled this morning, taking the top time heading into tonight’s semifinals. Pedersen of Denmark clocked in at 2:22.72 to be just one of two swimmers to post a time under 2:23. The only other swimmer to do so this morning was Rie Kaneto of Japan.
RYAN LOCHTE – MICHAEL PHELPS LOOK TO DOMINATE 200 IM
Ryan Lochte was the fastest man in the pool this morning in the heats of the 200m IM. His 1:57.38 leads the way over Philip Heitnz of Germany and Michael Phelps. Phelps won his heat over Thiago Pereira with what appeared to be an extremely easy 1:58.41. Phelps and Lochte are set up for a potential final showdown in the final tomorrow night assuming they move past the semifinals.
AMERICANS SET UP FOR ANOTHER RELAY GOLD
Having already won the men’s 4×100 and 4x200m freestyle relays, the women are now set up to take gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay tonight when they substitute several of their prelims swimmers tonight. Katie Ledecky will be in the final looking for her third gold medal of these games and fourth overall medal of these games.