FINA WORLD CUP – BERLIN
- Tuesday, August 30 – Wednesday, August 31, 2016
- Berlin, Germany – Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europa-Sportpark
- Short Course – 25 m
- Series Points after Paris
- Current Money Lists through Paris
- Entries
- Start Lists
- Live stream
- Live results
On Day 1 of the 2016 FINA World Cup stop in Berlin, Team USA’s Katie Meili secured gold in the women’s 100 SCM breaststroke in American Record fashion. Meili won the race in 1:02.92, beating out World Record holder Alia Atkinson and Olympic medalist Yuliya Efimova at the finish.
Atkinson wound up in 2nd with her 1:03.10, while Efimova was a close 3rd in 1:03.17. Check out the video of the race below, courtesy of FINA’s YouTube channel.
Meili’s performance tied her as the 4th fastest performer in history, and broke her own former American Record of 1:03.20 from the 2015 Duel in the Pool in Indianapolis. In addition to the gold medal, Meili earned $1,500 for her event win.
Notably, however, Melie’s swim wasn’t the fastest time ever done by an American, as Rebecca Soni clocked a 1:02.70 in 2009. Soni’s time was done in a polyurethane suit when the suits were still allowed by FINA, but banned by USA Swimming, so it didn’t count as the American Record.
So Efimova hasn’t retired yet. She still seems to think taking Meldonium “wasn’t my fault.” Even if it technically was legal in 2015, first she shouldn’t be taking this drug and two, there is no way she it doesn’t clear relatively quickly.
I think Efimova means she is sad that she got caught, again! I don’t think a drug cheat should be able to deny a clean athlete an Olympic medal or place in an Olympic final.
True, but a little late. Everyone knows this now.
Hmmm. Nice double dolphin off the walls.
that’s what i thought i saw too. but might it be 1.5 – reverse dolphin w/ forceful recoil? interesting…
It was a huge dolphin kick then the motion you saw was her getting back into her body line, so no DQ.