Pan Pacs Scratch Report: Pereira Out of 400 IM, Park Scratches 100 Free

2014 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Gold Coast, Australia
• Thursday, August 21-Sunday, August 24
• Meet website
• Psych sheets
• Live results

Seven swimmers have been scratched out of at least one individual event, with the biggest surprise in the bunch being Thiago Pereira of Brazil opting out of the men’s 400 IM, arguably his best event.  The 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2013 World Championship bronze medalist was the second seed overall behind Japan’s Kosuke Hagino at 4:09.48.  Although Hagino should be considered the favorite here, Pereira scratching from the 400 IM makes the medal race a bit more interesting.  Notably, Ous Mellouli–one of the world’s better 400 IMers–also has elected not to compete in the event.

The other big name scratch on the day was Park Tae Hwan, who has been removed from the updated psych sheet in the 100 free, where he was the sixth seed.  While the 100 certainly isn’t Park’s best event (it may not even be in his top three), it’s still a bit surprising to see him scratch from the event, especially since South Korea doesn’t have a men’s 4×200 free relay tonight.

The other scratches of the day:

• Rachel Bootsma, USA, women’s 100 free
• Ryan Murphy, USA, men’s 100 free
• Evan White, Canada, men’s 100 free
• Evan White, Canada, men’s 400 IM
• Richard Ellis, South Africa, men’s 400 IM