Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-07-04

(BEIJING, July 4) — Twenty-year-old Scott Spann won first-place in the finals of the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:09.97. Semifinal second seed Eric Shanteau (2:10.36) took second with 2004 Olympic qualifier Scott Usher coming in third at 2:11.00. Top semifinals qualifier and former event record holder, Brendan Hansen fell to fourth-place with a time of 2:11.37. The world record for men’s 200m breast was set last month by Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima at the Japan Open.

Elaine Breeden secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic team clocking 2:06.75 for a first-place finish in the women’s 200m butterfly. Breeden’s win comes a day after breaking the 24-year-old meet record in the semifinals with a time of 2:07.33. Second seed Kathleen Hersey (2:07.33) finished as expected in second-place with Kim Vandenberg (2:08.48) in third.

In men’s 100m freestyle, Garrett Weber-Gale (47:92) bested two-time Olympian Jason Lezak (48:05) for first-place, earning his first Olympic berth. Jason Lezak set a new American record in the semifinals with a time of 47.58. He first set the record in prelims with a time of 48:15, only to have it further lowered by Weber-Gale to 47:78 in the next heat. Cullen Jones placed third at 48:35.

Tomorrow’s events include preliminaries and semifinals in men’s 50m freestyle, women’s 800m freestyle, men’s 100m butterfly, and women’s 200m backstroke. Finals will be held for women’s 200m backstroke, men’s 200m backstroke, men’s 200m individual medley, and women’s 100m freestyle.

FINALS RESULTS - Thursday, July 3

Men’s 200m Breaststroke- Final1. Scott Spann (2:09.97) 2.Eric Shanteau (2:10.36) 3.Scott Usher (2:11:00) Women’s 200m Butterfly- Final1.Elaine Breeden (2:06.75) 2.Kathleen Hersey (2:07.33) 3.Kim Vandenberg (2:08.48) Men’s 100m Freestyle- Final1.Garrett Weber-Gale (47:92) 2.Jason Lezak (48:05)3.Cullen Jones (48:35)