12th FINA World Swimming Champs

I realise I usually root for the race favourite, Australian or Japanese (if in leading position). So I was upset when Natalie Coughlin (USA) came in 4th in the Women's 100 Free. Good thing an Aussie, Libby Lenton won the race. Lenton's half a head shorter than the 2nd and 3rd place girls.

Women's 100m Freestyle start

Libby Lenton wins the race

Victory Ceremony.

Anyhow I was amazed at the champs--the organisation, technology and prestige. Auto moving cameras lining the poolside, underwater and overhead, groups of Poolside photographers running and diving onto the floor for gd shots, the media section with gigantic mop-head microphones, a section of the stand where everyone had a personal booth and flat screen computer in front of them, flag raisings and national anthems...
FINA WC inside the Rod Laver Areana

Anyway the stands weren't jam packed so we just changed to a better seat and me occassionally walking to the front for a better view. They're not strict about the seating actually, we should've just sat in the VIP section haha, or the 200 dollar seats.

Back to the race. I was in a dilemma during the 200m Breastroke coz the Jap guy was the fav and I want to support him coz he's Jap but the Aussie guy was hot on his heels. But luckily the Jap dude won.

Oh btw, saw Tao Li swimming the 50m Fly Semi finals. Not bad, she made it to the finals in 7th place. Impressive.

I was just thinking, the timings are insane man. The women are swimming 50m fly in 25sec. Wasn't that the winning time for Men's 50m Free just a few years back?

World Records are tumbling one after abother here in Melb. Hmm what if the pool measurements are inaccurate? In tonight's 2 hour session there were at least 3 new WR.

Women's 200m Breastroke, Leisel Jones of Aust won it by 4sec. How's that possible?!

Saw Michael Phelps twice today. 100m Fly Semi finals and the relay. Ian Crocker swam the 100fly as well. I noticed that Phelps has a weird body. His torso is extremely large! so his legs are kinda short. Crocker looks better actually. Anyway I was again upset Phelps came in only 3rd in the 100fly. I know its only the semis but i was hoping to see him fly right outta the pool and win it without even trying. haha.

Phelps in lane 5 (short blue and white tights), Crocker lane 4 (long blue and white tights)

AUS 4x200m Freestyle Relay Men's team.

1st-2nd relay changeover, Michael Phelps got such a big lead on the first leg.

Highlight of the race--Men's 4x200m Freestyle relay. USA was INCREDIBLE. They were ahead of the WR right from the first 50m. Michael Phelps was the first swimmer and he got a big lead which grew. Insane. The smashed the WR by one and a half seconds. It was a tense competition for 2nd and 3rd. The whole stadium was roaring, coz Aussie and Canada were battling for 2nd, and in the last 50m, Aust overtook Can. Phew. Love it.


When I walked outta Rod Laver Areana I thought it was snowing coz they were blowing millions of bubbles into the air.

It was a nice but very cold walk along the river back to the city. sigh. I love romantic moments but there's no one to share it with.