Felix Auböck clearly failed as 24th in the 400m freestyle and has a “big question mark.” Bernhard Reitshammer advanced to the semifinals in 11th place in the 100m breaststroke.
European champion Felix Auböck missed qualifying for the finals in the 400m freestyle by nearly five seconds on Saturday, at the start of the Olympic swimming competitions in Paris, while physically impaired. The 27-year-old finished with a time of 3:50.50 minutes in the heats, 7.26 seconds above his national record set five weeks earlier during the Belgrade European Championships, placing him only 24th. The Tyrolean Bernhard Reitshammer fared better, finishing 11th in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 59.68 seconds. The semifinal is scheduled for 21:12.
Auböck complained of physical issues. “Something is not right. I was relatively in good shape a week ago. Since Tuesday, the times in training have not been as they were before. I actually have a big question mark about what the problem is. I don’t know, maybe I’m getting sick. I felt it already while warming up, the cardiovascular system just didn’t kick in today.” The Lower Austrian found himself behind early in the first of eight lengths, and that gap gradually increased.
Disappointment “huge”
Technically everything seemed to go well. Now he wants to discuss what happened with his coach Balasz Fehervari. “I still have two important races in the pool (200m freestyle on Sunday, 800m freestyle on Monday; note).” His disappointment is significant. “On the other hand, I can handle it, but it hurts, of course, because you know what you are capable of. But it is important to accept what has happened and take the next step.” Auböck had finished fourth in Tokyo 2021, just 0.13 seconds behind the bronze medalist, and was considered a medal candidate.
Reitshammer’s mark meant he equaled his personal best time, which he was “very relieved” about. Being able to swim again in the semifinal is “fantastic.” The race felt good, he stayed clean until the end. “It was important for me to justify the late rise to an Olympic spot in this discipline. I expect the semifinal to be fast. “If I get into the final, I think a time of 59.3 or 59.4 seconds will be needed.”
A fantastic atmosphere already prevailed in the La Defense Arena during the first skirmishes of the stars. The hall, which holds 17,000 spectators, was full, with fans queuing two hours before the session began. The “exotics” were also applauded in the heats, and there was strong support during the first strokes of the women’s 400m freestyle, where US star Katie Ledecky narrowly defeated Australian world record holder Ariarne Titmus. Reitshammer: “A great feeling. I’ve never had so many spectators.”