The swimming world’s new ‘Pearl in the Desert’ contained all the ingredients of a fast-paced thriller with historical feats added for good measure on the opening day of the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) at the purpose built Hamadan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Complex in Dubai on Wednesday.
American Ryan Lochte lived up to his billing as the top star of the competition when he set the pace in the heats and finals of the men’s 200 metres freestyle to bag the first gold medal. But he suffered a setback in his pursuit of going for the maximum when the US team finished fourth in the 4x100m freestyle relay race.
However, it was double delight for Mireia Belmonte Garcia who became the first Spaniard to win gold at a major swimming event with back-to-back victories in the women’s 200m butterfly and the 400m individual medley in record time.
Hosts UAE also carved a piece of history when four brothers Obaid Ahmed Al Jasmi, Faisal, Saeed and Bakhit participated in the 4x100m freestyle relay heats to set a record of sorts by becoming the first set of brothers to compete in a world event.
But the honour of setting the first world record at this magnificent venue went to the Chinese quartet of Qian Chen, Yi Tang, Jing Liu and Qianwei Zhu who clocked a winning time of seven minutes 35.94 seconds in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay to round off an eventful first day of competition.
More significantly, it was also the first world record to fall since high-tech swimsuits were banned two years ago.
Opening ceremony
Earlier, the first ever swimming championships to be held in the Middle East which has attracted a record number of 800 entries from 153 countries began with a spectacular opening ceremony graced by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who officially declared open the event, among the other dignitaries.
It began with a short video that portrayed the heritage of the UAE followed by a brilliant performance from the acrobats.
The event organisers, Prisme, came up with a wonderful concept in the video picking up the theme of water which travelled through the golden sands of the desert reaching at the coastal port of Dubai.
An enthralling live violin performance followed a Parade of Nations representing each of the 153 countries who were cheered on by an appreciative crowd.
Dr Ahmed Saad Al Sharif, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, captured the spirit of the moment when he said: “These historical minutes will remain in our sporting memories for ever.”
“Achieving excellence is the real target and we are happy we could achieve the vision launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the wise leadership of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Dubai Sports Council has come true.
“The distinguished stature of Dubai in the world has surely helped us in attracting this great world championship which all countries have competed to host.
“It was a big challenge for us and we wanted this championship to be held in a very distinguished and special venue which has incarnated in this impressive structure, which is considered as beacon of sports.
“Today our dream has come true and His Highnesses’ phrase that ‘nothing is impossible’ is a leading torch in our work here.”
Ahmed Al Falasi representing the UAE Swimming Association said: “It is an absolute honour on behalf of the UAE swimming Federation to witness the official opening.
“When we presented for this championship four years ago in Shanghai, we promised Fina that we wanted to create a legacy for swimming in the Middle East.
“When we look around today we can see the legacy has been set by the vision of His Highness in this magnificent complex.
“It’s a fitting tribute to our country and will spearhead the growth of the swimming throughout the whole of Middle East.”
Fina President Julio Maglione paid the biggest compliment when he said: “It is a great honour for the Fina family to be here in Dubai in this fantastic complex. I have no doubt swimmers, coaches and officials would be more happy to compete in this outstanding facility.
“I would like thank the UAE Swimming Association and Dubai Sports Council for their success of the championships.
“Fina will extend all its co-operation and support in promoting Fina events and swimming in particular in the Middle East.”
Championship record
When the competition proper began, 26-year-old Lochte set a blistering pace in the men’s 200m freestyle and warned his rivals that his first swim is nearly always his worst.
In posting his race time of 1:41.08, Lochte bettered the championship record he set in the morning’s heat sessions by 1.3 seconds. Danila Izotov of Russia won silver while Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia took third.
“I just wanted to do a good time,” said Lochte who has won 15 medals in the history of this competition, including eight golds, since 2004. “Usually my first race is always the worst so I’m glad that’s out of the way.”
Lochte is entered for five events and could compete in up to seven if he contests the three relay event.
The much-anticipated battle between Lochte and long course 200m freestyle world record-holder, did not turn into the fierce contest spectators had hoped for after the German finished fifth.
“I do not know what went wrong,” said Biedermann. “I think I may have to go away and look at my technique. I feel that I could have gone faster but I just do not know.”
However, the US team came up short in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay finishing fourth.
“You win some and you lose some. As long as we’re having fun out there, I guess that’s all that matters,” said Lochte who will swim the 400 individual medley and the 800 freestyle relay on Thursday.
The French team of Alain Bernard, Frederick Bousquet, Fabien Gilot and Yannick Agnel won gold in 3:04.78 pipping Russia and Brazil.
Bernard said: “A long time we are waiting for this victory, but you know when you believe in something you work hard for that and today it will pay.
“It’s maybe the first time for us on top of the international podium, but it’s not the last - that’s for sure.”
Golden girl
Spaniard Mireia Belmonte Garcia was the golden girl of the evening winning the 200m butterfly (2:3.59) and 400m IM (4:24.21) setting championships records.
Briton Jemma Lowe took silver and Petra Granlund of Sweden the bronze with world record holder Zige Liu of China back in fifth.
“It was a great feeling and an emotional moment,” said a delighted Garcia.
“It was very difficult as the other swimmers were equally good, but I’m happy to finish on a high,” she added.
“It was a little tiring since both events happened with a short gap, but I enjoyed it since it gave me an advantage of continuing the good performance,” said Garcia who swam on the outside lane in the relay.
“I’m happy that I’m part of Spanish history. Feeling great and this is magic,” she said on learning she had created history.
The Chinese relay quartet set a hot pace in the women’s 4x200m freestyle event finishing ahead of Australia (7:37.57) and France (7:38.33) shaving nearly three seconds off the previous record of 7:38.90 set by Netherlands in Manchester in 2008.
Qian Chen said: “We are young swimmers. Our goal was to win the gold medal here. But we did not expect to break world records and we are happy to achieve it.
“The atmosphere was really good with the crowd cheering us and that boosted our performance.”
Chen said their achievements was basically due to the excellent training facilities they have back home in Beijing.
“This gives us the right confidence to excel. Every time we compete we challenge ourselves and we race against each other. We had new members joining the national team, making it more stronger. We are aiming for gold in Shanghai next year and also the London Olympics.”
Praising the venue, Chen said: “It is a beautiful venue and we would love to come back here again.”
Family team
The epoch-making UAE team may have finished 14th in the 15-team field in the 4x100m freestyle relay but they were proud of their effort.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve done. It’s what we have dreamt of,” said skipper Obaid Ahmed Al Jasmi.
“We did our best in the race and did a good time. But the most important thing is that we represented the UAE.”
Obaid, who is working with the Abu Dhabi Police, said that the venue was fantastic and he was sure that everyone would love it. “It’s awesome out there. It’s amazing. All the swimmers are very happy and excited. I can see that from their eyes. This venue is really like an oasis in the middle of the desert.”
Faisal, 19, the youngest among the four who is pursuing his education at the Arizona State University and competes at the club level there, said: “It’s not just an achievement for us. It’s an achievement for the UAE and it’s very special.”
Bakhit and Saeed work for Adnoc and all the four brothers underwent rigorous training session in Kuwait earlier this month training under the watchful eyes of American coach Jay Benner.
“The UAE national team is all a family, but today was made extra special for me and my three brothers as we made history becoming the first relay team of four brothers to compete together in the 4x100 relay at a world championship event. It is a unique feeling and we are all happy to be together in one team to compete in the Fina World Championship relay,” added two-time Olympian Obaid.
“As a family team, we would all like to thank our parents for their love, encouragement and guidance. We are a close family and all my brothers and sisters have enjoyed many great academic achievements and successful careers. Without the unwavering support from our parents, we would not have been able to achieve this world first today.”
Results
Men
Finals
200m freestyle
1. Ryan Lochte (USA) 1 minute 41.08 seconds
2. Danila Izotov (RUS) 1:41.70
3. Oussama Mellouli (TUN) 1:42.02
4. Nikita Lobintsev (RUS) 1:42.03
5. Paul Biedermann (GER) 1:42.19
6. Pawel Korzeniowski (POL) 1:42.73
7. Tommaso D’Orsogna (AUS) 1:42.96
8. Shaune Fraser (CAY) 1:43.91
4x100m freestyle relay
1. France 3:04.78
2. Russia 3:04.82
3. Brazil 3:05.74
4. United States 3:06.10
5. Australia 3:06.18
6. Italy 3:06.56
7. China 3:11.03
8. Sweden 3:11.29
Women
200m butterfly
1. Mireia Belmonte Garcia (ESP) 2:03.59
2. Jemma Lowe (GBR) 2:03.94
3. Petra Granlund (SWE) 2:04.38
4. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) 2:04.68
5. Liu Zige (CHN) 2:04.78
6. Felicity Galvez (AUS) 2:04.98
7. Audrey Lacroix (CAN) 2:06.52
8. Alessia Polieri (ITA) 2:06.98
400m individual medley
1. Mireia Belmonte Garcia (ESP) 4:24.21
2. Ye Shiwen (CHN) 4:24.55
3. Li Xuanxu (CHN) 4:29.05
4. Hannah Miley (GBR) 4:29.77
5. Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN) 4:30.44
6. Ariana Kukors (USA) 4:31.01
7. Barbora Zavadova (CZE) 4:35.01
8. Maiko Fujino (JPN) 4:36.16
4x200m freestyle relay
1. China 7:35.94
2. Australia 7:37.57
3. France 7:38.33
4. United States 7:38.42
5. Sweden 7:41.91
6. Italy 7:46.80
7. Hungary 7:47.70
8. Russia 7:48.97
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