Swimming: Mayor rules after super showing

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Dec 12, 2007

CITY of Newcastle's Andrew Mayor is Britain's top butterfly swimmer as the crucial Olympic season gets into full swing.

Representing Great Britain at the Eindhoven International Meet, Mayor was not only up against a strong European field but also Todd Cooper, the No 1 British swimmer in the 100m butterfly since the Athens Olympics.

Following his recent defeat of Loughborough's Joe Roebuck at Sheffield, 21-year-old Mayor came home sixth in the 200m butterfly in Eindhoven - but beat Cooper with a time of 2-01.51.

In the 100m event, Mayor was placed ninth after the heats just behind Cooper, but looked as if he had missed out on the final by just one place.

However, a late withdrawal saw rising star Mayor seize his opportunity.

He finished in sixth place with 54.66 - and beat Cooper for the second time in a week.

Scotland-born Mayor said: "My swimming was very consistent.

"I was very pleased with my results in Holland and I am now looking forward to maintaining my form at the European Short Course Championships in Budapest."

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