LZR-ed Adrian Keeps Frustrated Magnini At Bay
2008-04-13
Craig Lord
The Italian world l/c champion almost got his revenge wearing a fabric Arena as rookie American claims 100m freestyle crown from lane 1

Adrian Nathan is at his first major international. He will return home to the US and coach Mike Bottom as a world short-course champion, his 46.67 victory - 0.03sec ahead of Filippo Magnini, wearing the fabric Arena Revolution - in lane one of a choppy tank that favours those out on the edge a huge boost to the confidence of a 19-year-old heading for the lion's den of a US Olympic trials this summer.

'It's my first world championships. That was unbelievable,' said Nathan. Asked about the LZR, he said: 'It's really a great suit, no question about it. But I'd like to take some of the credit. I've been working really hard. This is a great confidence booster ... ahead of Olympic trials.'

Magnini felt the same. Denied (by the rulebook) the chance of wearing the Arena Revenge - as we are calling it - the Italian was delighted to race on terms with seven rivals in the LZR. 'I have proved that the human can still make a difference,' said Magnini. 'If I had been allowed to wear the new Arena I would have broken the world record. It was satisfying to get ahead of [Duje] Draganja, and getting 0.03sec from the gold means I was level with him.'

FINA blocked use of the catch-up Arena suit this morning on the grounds that the next window for suit approval is June. The suit may well then meet FINA approval, perhaps in time for the Seven Hills Meet in Rome, and, of course, Beijing 2008.

Dranganja was inside world record pace at half way, on 21.75, but felt the pain on the last length. He held on for bronze in 46.83.

Arena issued a statement confirming its commitment to a new beginning in which all suit makers will help to work out the parameters of a new world.

The company confirmed what SwimNews reported yesterday: 'A first prototype of this upgraded version has been presented yesterday , in the late afternoon, to one of the strongest members of Arena Elite Team : the twice World Champion of 100mt freestyle Filippo Magnini, for a fitting session and a short test in the water, with a very encouraging feedback.

'This test has gathered the attention of several athletes, as well as of some other observers, building up the expectation for an immediate exploitation in a real competition.

'Arena, a Company which has always underlined its absolute commitment in respecting the rules, want to clarify, by this press release, the fact that no swimmer will wear , in today's competitions , any Arena swimsuits which has not been duly approved by FINA , according the existing procedures.'