Video Courtesy: NBC Sports
2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Day 7 Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
The men’s 100 fly final on Friday night was a race thick with interest. As so many races have been at these 2016 Olympics, a limitless run of storylines came out of the race. Michael Phelps re-set another record for medals and individual medals, as he does with each podium, but was unable to extend his gold medal runs. That means no second four-peat for him – which would’ve been a first in Olympic history.
Instead, he was a part of an Olympic first three-way tie with Laszlo Cseh and Chad le Clos – three veterans and favorites, all relegated to a subordinate step on the podium by a new Olympic and Asian Record from Singapore’s Joseph Schooling – who had proven himself in the short pool on the American collegiate stage, but on Friday made his statement as the true heir to Michael Phelps‘ throne in this 100 butterfly.
Meanwhile, the American Tom Shields finished 7th – meaning still no international long course medals for him in individual races at the Americans’ Operation Gold meets, despite repeated success at the National level in the United States.
Schooling also became the first Asian to ever medal at the Olympics in this event – joining a feat achieved by Kosuke Hagino in the 200 IM earlier in this meet. That continent continues to rise in the swimming view as the sport globalizes more-and-more.
Above, watch the historic finish from Friday night, and below, see links to watch the full race around the world.
As always, if you have links to videos from other countries, please leave them in the comments.