Thoman battles back after Olympic disappointment

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AFP) — Nick Thoman, who missed out on a place on the US Olympic swimming team, became the second fastest performer ever in the 100m backstroke with a time of 52.92sec at a meeting here on Friday.

Thoman was three-hundredths of a second outside the world record of 52.89 set by compatriot Aaron Peirsol at the US Olympic trials in July in Omaha Nebraska, becoming the second swimmer in history to go under 53 seconds.

While Peirsol is preparing to defend his 100m and 200m backstroke Olympic titles in Beijing, Thoman missed out on a berth. He finished sixth in the 100m backstroke final at the trials, where Peirsol won ahead of Matt Grevers.

Hayley McGregory, who also missed out on an Olympic berth at the trials in Omaha, was also impressive...