COOKE SECOND FASTEST THROUGH TO FINAL
19 Aug 2004 10:20
ATHENS - Rebecca Cooke will line up second fastest for the women’s 800m freestyle final tomorrow after a commanding swim in Thursday’s heats.
The distance specialist moved a step closer to securing her first Olympic medal when she won the final heat in 8:28.47.
”I felt quite comfortable there. I was ahead of the rest of the field by a long way and I felt quite strong. It’s very difficult to judge these swims in the heat,” Cooke said.
“I’m just going to try and focus on my race now and relax a bit before tomorrow’s final.”
Three time Olympian James Hickman booked his place in tonight’s semi-finals with an impressive 100m butterfly heat. He was just 0.12sec off his best time with 52.91 and goes in 12th fastest.
”It’s been nice to be back at the Olympics again. We’ve had our ups and downs here but it’s a good way for me to start and a time I’m pretty pleased with. I know I can improve,” said Hickman.
Commonwealth Games finalist Todd Cooper, swimming in his first Olympics, failed to make it to the next round with 53.48, finishing 22nd place - over a second away from his British record.
World Champion Katy Sexton eased into the 200m backstroke semis in 2:13.25, five second adrift of her best but enough to secure the eighth fastest position for tonight.
Sexton said: ”It’s faster than I thought and I’m quite pleased with that. It’s a good time for me in the morning and I’m in the semi-final now, so it’s all looking okay.”
But Karen Lee, who sustained an ankle injury last week, failed to progress to tonight’s semis. The Loughborough swimmer was out of the top 16 in a disappointing 2:16.10, but vowed to come back a better swimmer next time.
”I had nothing to lose,” Lee said. “My preparation was hampered last week when I sprained my ankle on Sunday. Swimming here has inspired me and it’s given me the guts to keep going because I know I’m better than that.”
Medal hope James Goddard races tonight in the 200m backstroke after qualifying second fastest in yesterday’s semi-finals.
-ENDS-
■ The 2004 Olympic Games take place in Athens, Greece, between August 13 and 29. Swimming runs from August 14 to 21.
For further details contact Martin Petty, British Swimming Communications Officer in the UK on 01509 632237, 07968 411689 or email martin.petty@swimming.org
Or contact Dave Richards, Team GB Swimming Press Attaché in Athens, on +44 77899 26136 or email david.richards@swimming.org
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