Leveaux Advances to Finals at 2009 World Championships

The night was filled with excitement as swimmers competed for their spots on the medal stand at the 2009 World Championships the evening of Friday, July 31-with TYR's Amanda Weir, Amaury Leveaux, and Jeanette Ottesen represented in the mix. The finals of the women’s 100m freestyle started the session off in Rome, Italy as Weir stepped onto the block of lane three to race amongst the worlds fastest women-including the current world record holder and numerous Olympians. Entering the night’s final, Weir already proved her speed after setting an American record in the event the day before (53.02). Also competing in the finals was Ottesen of Denmark. Taking out the first fifty quicker than in the preliminaries and semi-finals, Weir flipped tied for fifth with Ottesen in a 25.97. Picking up the speed in the back half to advance on the field, the 6’1” Weir crept up nearing the finish but was unable to get her hand on the wall to medal. With a final time of 53.12 she came out fourth. Ottesen was seventh. Entering the semi-finals of the highly anticipated men’s 50m freestyle seated sixth, Leveaux of France stepped on the block to fight for his spot to compete for a medal in Saturday’s final. The race ended quickly with Leveaux finishing third overall in a lifetime best 21.32. He will enter the finals amongst the current world record holder in the event and the sports fastest men world-wide. Be sure to return to TYR.com for the final results Leveaux’s 50m freestyle race, as well as the preliminaries of the women’s 50m freestyle as Weir makes another attempt at the medal stand.