Australian Short Course  ends in Hobart after a spate of Australian records and 4 World Records. The swimming media however mainly centred on the suits controversy once again, harking that non-national team members were at a disadvantage since the supersuits which dominated the World Championships are unavailable in Australia. On that note, it seems that all swimmers and coaches who attended were simply glad this meet would be the very last time suits would be significant, with the sport returning to textiles only in 2010. Concluding remarks can be found on our Blog

Phelps: This isn't a tabloid magazine, he was involved a car crash. He's uninjured and it wasn't his fault. End of story. Meanwhile, opinion is divided in the community over his 100m fly victory in Rome, some claiming it was the performance of the meet while others criticising his flamboyant reaction and arrogance in wearing/flaunting the inferior suit. 

Behind the Blocks Voodoo! Has anyone noticed during the World Championships some sort of strange coincidences in the performances of swimmers we have recently repped?

1. Our first interviewee Ariana Kukors managed to scrape her way onto the US team after placing third in the 200IM at trials, when Elizabeth Pelton withdrew. From a previous best of 2:11.53, she prelimmed a 2:08.53, just shy of the Ricey's WR. In the semi's, she stunned the world by wiping over a second of WR. Come finals she ripped off a 2:06.15 on her way to the gold medal and world championship. Remember, you heard of her here first. 

2. Ranomi Kromowidjojo split 52.41 and 52.30 in heats and finals respectively in the 4x100m freestyle relay (the second fastest split in history, behind Britta Steffen's 51.99 stunner), and was a vital constituent of the undisputed greatest relay team of all time.

3. Thomas Haffield shaved a second off his personal best and set a new Commonwealth record in the 400IM of 4:11.32, achieving his goal of swimming in a final in a World Champs, a year after placing 17th at the 'Jing.

4. Just four days after the doors closed at the Foro Italico, Jess Hardy become the first woman under 30s in the 50m breaststroke over long course, with a 29.80, which happened to be a 50m SPLIT in a 100m race. Did I mention that was on the way to a 1:04.45?

5. We'd like to congratulate friend in the site Melissa Gorman (Greg Gorman if you will) on her victory in the Women's 5km in Rome! Outtouching Ilchenko in a sprint finish and taking away her strangle hold in OW.   

Relay Hypotheticals: See the teams and where they've placed before Rome, and see the accompanying Australian blog piece HERE.

Welcome!  

behindtheblocks.com is a not for profit swimming fan site providing up to date results, stories and reviews in and around the pool deck, (both here down under and abroad) with the overall intention to encourage popular discussion and interest amongst the wider community. Competitive swimming as a sport is hailed as the last untainted 'pure sport' on Earth, and Australia happens to be one of, if not the most, dominant nations on the international stage. Yet, this website happens to be the first Aussie based fan site on the web. We do hope you enjoy your stay, and feel free to provide any feedback or ideas to help us improve this sexy page. You can reach us on contact@behindtheblocks.com so please feel free to drop us a line!  

 Priyant & Andy