2016 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 3
- Monday, May 16th – Sunday, May 22nd
- Prelims: 10:00 AM (London Time) / 5:00 AM (Eastern Time)
- Finals: 6:00 PM (London Time) / 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
- London Aquatics Center, London, UK
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results
- Live Stream
In the men’s 1500m free prelims at the European Championships (which took place yesterday morning) Jan Micka of the Czech Republic set a new Czech national record, clocking 14:58.62 to easily qualify for the final in 3rd. In the final Micka came just short of equalling his prelim time, putting up a 14:58.73 to finish 5th.
Both swims mark a large improvement for Micka, whose previous record stood at 15:02.08 from the Dubai stop of the 2015 World Cup circuit in November. Prior to that his best was done in May of 2015 at 15:03.68. He is certainly back on the right track after a very disappointing performance at the World Championships in Kazan saw him add almost 20 seconds and finish 23rd overall. Micka just missed the final in this event two years ago at the European Championships, placing 9th.
Here’s a breakdown of the Micka’s splits from his prelim national record swim, his swim in the finals and his old record swum at the 2015 World Cup:
| 2015 World Cup (Dubai) | 2016 European Championship (Final) | 2016 European Championships (Prelims) |
| 58.53 | 57.65 | 57.87 |
| 1:58.88 (1:00.35) | 1:56.84 (59.19) | 1:58.09 (1:00.22) |
| 2:59.82 (1:00.94) | 2:56.21 (59.37) | 2:58.50 (1:00.41) |
| 4:00.50 (1:00.68) | 3:55.77 (59.56) | 3:58.93 (1:00.43) |
| 5:00.46 (59.96) | 4:55.48 (59.71) | 4:58.78 (59.85) |
| 6:00.61 (1:00.15) | 5:55.28 (59.80) | 5:59.40 (1:00.62) |
| 7:00.73 (1:00.12) | 6:54.96 (59.68) | 6:59.29 (59.89) |
| 8:01.68 (1:00.95) | 7:54.93 (59.97) | 7:59.29 (1:00.00) |
| 9:02.98 (1:01.30) | 8:54.98 (1:00.05) | 8:59.42 (1:00.13) |
| 10:03.66 (1:00.68) | 9:55.21 (1:00.23) | 9:59.33 (59.91) |
| 11:03.92 (1:00.26) | 10:55.79 (1:00.58) | 10:59.45 (1:00.12) |
| 12:04.21 (1:00.29) | 11:57.00 (1:01.21) | 11:59.84 (1:00.39) |
| 13:05.11 (1:00.90) | 12:58.73 (1:01.73) | 13:00.22 (1:00.38) |
| 14:06.44 (1:01.33) | 13:59.90 (1:01.17) | 14:00.65 (1:00.43) |
| 15:02.08 (55.64) | 14:58.73 (58.83) | 14:58.62 (57.97) |
As is evidence of the splits, Micka took his race in finals out much more aggressively in prelims, probably due to the confidence of going under 15 minutes for the first time in the prelims. He wasn’t able to hold on to his quick pace, with 12th, 13th, and 14th 100’s getting up into the 1:01 area. One notable thing from his World Cup swim is the scintillating final 100m of 55.64, due to the fact he was in a race with Mykahilo Romanchuk that he won.
Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri won the gold in the race in a new European record of 14:34.04, the second fastest performance of all-time. His countryman Gabriele Detti was 2nd in 14:48.75, and Romanchuk was 3rd in 14:50.33.
Micka will also compete in the men’s 400 and 800m freestyle events here in London, both of which he is also the Czech national record holder.