EINDHOVEN (The Netherlands), March 20: Three-time Olympic champion Pieter van den Hoogenband’s preparations for the Beijing Games were thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as the Dutch swimmer failed to qualify for the 200m freestyle final at the European Swimming Championships.

But French star Laure Manaudou showed her form as she dominated the field in an event which is not even her speciality by winning the women’s 200m backstroke.

Van den Hoogenband left the Tongelreep pool sick and bewildered after managing only the 20th best time to miss out on a top 16 placing which would have brought a place in the semi-finals.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

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