ROME — Still convinced he beat Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics, Milorad Cavic took some verbal jabs at the American on Friday — then took away his world record in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly.
“They know I’m a player,” Cavic boasted. “They know I’ve got a great deal of speed.”
Phelps wasn’t too bothered about giving up his record. He knows the real race is tonight.
“I try to keep most comments to myself to fire me up on the inside,” Phelps said, savoring his third gold medal of the championships after leading off for the Americans in the 800 freestyle relay. “I’ve had success doing that in the past, and I’m not about to start making comments now. I’ll let the swimming do my talking.”
In the evening semifinals, Cavic nearly became the first swimmer to break 50 seconds, settling for a world record of 50.01 in his speedy Arena X-Glide suit. Phelps was the second-fastest qualifier at 50.48.
“I didn’t want to go out so fast, but I had so much energy in my body that I couldn’t help it,” said Cavic, who broke Phelps’ mark of 50.22. “I’m capable of swimming under 50, which would be enough to win the gold.”
The two will be side-by- side tonight in the rematch of their thrilling race in China, won by Phelps by the smallest margin possible — a hundredth of a second.
The Serbian claims he finished first but wasn’t credited with the victory because Phelps put more pressure on the touchpad.
Peirsol sets record.
Aaron Peirsol smashed his own world record in the 200- meter backstroke, his time of 1 minute, 51.92 seconds wiping out the mark of 1:53.08 he set at the U.S. nationals three weeks ago.
Ryan Lochte was third.
FINA expedites ban.
Swimming’s governing body said it will ban record-breaking bodysuits beginning Jan. 1.
Earlier this week, FINA announced a ban but said it might not come into effect until April or May.
The Associated Press
