Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-09-26

One year before the first Olympic race of open water swimming taking place in Beijing in the Rowing and Canoeing Olympic Course, the China Swimming Association welcomed on September 23 in Shantou the best 10km swimmers of the season for the eighth race of the 2007 FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup.

Amongst women, the young Brazilian Poliana Okimoto, second of the 5km and 10km of the 2006 World Championships, confirmed her ambition: she obtained her first FINA victory and will be in the list of favourites for the Olympic title. She finished two and four seconds in front of the two German favourites, respectively Britta Kamrau-Corestein and Angela Maurer, the leaders of the general standings.

In the men’s race, the Italian Valerio Cleri confirmed his success of the seventh race of the competition few weeks ago in Vienna (AUT). Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE), third in Vienna, progressed until the second place. Also worth of note is the comeback of Simone Ercoli (ITA), third, who was second of the 10km at the 2002 World Championships.

Medallists in Shantou

Men - 1. Valerio Cleri (ITA) 1h43m19s; 2. Spyridon Gianniotis (GRE) 1h43m20s; 3. Simone Ercoli (ITA) 1h43m22s

Women - 1. Poliana Okimoto (BRA) 1h47m49s; 2. Britta Kamrau-Corestein (GER) 1h47m51s; 3. Angela Maurer (GER) 1h47m53s

Standings after eight races

Men – 1. Vladimir Dyatchin (RUS) 84 pts; 2. Maarten van der Weijden (NED) 66 pts; 3. Mohamed El Zanaty (EGY) 48 pts

Women – 1. Angela Maurer (GER) 108 pts; 2. Britta Kamrau-Corestein (GER) 80 pts; 3. Poliana Okimoto (BRA) 50 pts

(Credit: FINA. Click here for further information.)