Tearful Manaudou withdraws from Olympic 200 metres

Published on Tuesday 22 April 2008 22:48

WORLD record holder Laure Manaudou of France will not compete in the 200 metres freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing after pulling out of the event at her national championships.

"Laure Manaudou pulled out of the 200 metres freestyle semi-finals," the French swimming federation said yesterday. "Her participation in the 100 metres backstroke is not in doubt," it added. The championships double as the Beijing qualifiers.

The development came a day after Manaudou burst into tears following her first defeat at a major championships since June 2004 in the 400 metres freestyle. Although she secured an Olympic berth, her time of 4:06.67 was far outside the world record of 4:01.53 clocked by Italy's Federica Pellegrini at the European championships in Eindhoven last month. Camelia Potec of Romania won the race, with Coralie Balmy of France second and also booking an Olympic ticket. "It's tough to be beaten," said Manaudou. "All I can say is that I am waiting for Arena's new suit."

Manaudou is under contract with Arena, which is scheduled to make available its new suit by June, while Tyr and Speedo have already done so.

Manaudou set her 200 metres freestyle world record of 1:55.52 at last year's world championships in Melbourne. The 21-year-old was only fourth in yesterday's heats with a time of 2:00.08.

The 200 metres freestyle is the favoured event of Scotland's 'Caitlin McClatchey