Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-07-18 From: Xinhuanet

ALGIERS, July 16 (Xinhua) — Zimbabwean swimming sensation and Olympic champion Kistry Coventry claimed the fourth gold medal when she won the women’s 50m backstroke event at the 9th All Africa Games on Monday.

But she was denied the gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke losing to Suzaan Van Biljon of South Africa.

Coventry, who has his regular training in the United States, won the women’s 50m backstroke by setting a new African record of 28.89 seconds.

The Olympic gold medallist in women’s 200m backstroke in Athens also won the women’s 100m backstroke, 800m freestyle and 400m medley.

South African swimmers proved their overwhelming power in the continent, winning five out of seven golds on offer on Monday. Sofiane Daid from the host country won the men’s 200m breaststroke in two minutes 14.27 seconds.

World champion Johannes Zandberg led the South African swimming fleet to dominate the pool, winning the men’s 50m backstroke in anAll Africa Games record time of 25.68 seconds before his teammates collected the golds in women’s 100m butterfly, women’s 100m breaststroke, men’s 800m freestyle and men’s 4×100m freestyle relay.

“We take the All Africa Games as a training,” said South African swimming head coach Dirk Lange. “It is a part of our preparation for Beijing Olympic Games.”

The swimming competition of the All Africa Games will end on Wednesday.