YOG BA 2018: Vietnam is the 30th nation on the podium

The fifth and penultimate day of the swimming competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (ARG) was marked by the entry of the 30^th nation in the medal chart – a new record -, and by the confirmation of the Russian supremacy in the competition. Thanks to the effort of Andrei Minakov and of the women’s quartet in the 4x100m free, the Europeans have now 10 gold medals in the swimming events at these Games. 

In the first final of the day, Huy Hoang Nguyen, from Vietnam, got the gold in the men’s 800m free (7:50.20), establishing a milestone in the history of the Games. With this result, 30 countries have at least one medallist at the swimming events of the competition, a new record after the 29 nations on the podium in 2014 (Nanjing, CHN), and 27 in 2010 (Singapore). Nguyen did a very intelligent race, perfectly managing his effort throughout the 16 laps in the pool. In fact, the initial effort was made by Keisuke Yoshida (JPN), who led until the 550m-mark, when the winner definitively took control of the race. Yoshida was second in 7:53.85, and was followed by Italy’s Marco De Tullio (7:55.81).

In the men’s 50m butterfly, Russia got its 9^th gold medal in Buenos Aires – the European nation leads the swimming medal chart before the last day of competition -, thanks to a thrilling win of Andrei Minakov, in 23.62. The fight for the silver was even tougher, with two swimmers touching the wall in 23.63 – Tomoe Hvas, from Norway, and Danill Markov. The three medallists had already been on the podium in Argentina: Minakov had won the 100m fly, plus the three relays; Hvas was the winner in the 200m IM and third in the 50m back; Markov was second in the 50m free, and was also part of the three winning relays for Russia. Certainly disappointed, Thomas Ceccon (ITA) had to content with the fourth place, after the gold in the 50m free, silver in the 50m back and 200m IM, and bronze in the 100m back and 4x100m free relay. 

In the women’s 50m back, Emma McKeown was slightly better than the rest of the field, touching home for gold in 28.28. The Australian got her first title in Argentina, after being second in the 100m back and 4x100m medley, and third in the 200m back. The minor medals went to Daria Vaskina (RUS, silver) in 28.38, and to Lila Touili (FRA, bronze), 28.78.

In the last final of the session, Russia got gold number 10, with the victory in the women’s 4x100m free relay, in a time of 3:45.26. The winning quartet was formed by Elizaveta Klevanovich, Anastasia Makarova, Daria Vaskina and Polina Egorova. Brazil arrived almost two seconds later (3:47.20), while Japan got the bronze in 3:49.27.