Belmonte Has Bronchitis, 400 Free In Windsor TBD

2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

• December 6th – December 11th, 2016
• Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• WFCU Centre
• SCM (25m)
• Prelims: 9:30 AM EST/Finals: 6:30 PM EST
• Start Lists/Results
• Live Stream ($)

We reported yesterday how Spanish mega swimming star Mireia Belmonte has kicked off her 2016 Short Course World Championships campaign in uncharacteristic lackluster fashion due to illness. In Windsor, the multiple gold medalist at the 2014 edition of this meet found herself in 5th place in the 400m IM, followed by a disappointing 200m butterfly prelim that left her out of the final. The 26-year-old then was a no-show for her 800m freestyle heat, an event in which she had hoped to defend her title.

Yesterday, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist officially reported to the RFEN (Spain’s Swimming Federation) that she was sick, with further details now revealed to SwimSwam by her coach, Fred Vergnoux.

Vergnoux says, “Mireia got sick arriving here [Windsor], nothing major but the team doctor said she has a bronchitis and suffers breathing properly.”

He continued to SwimSwam, “A shame because she was feeling great. But health precautions first, 48h rest and we will decide if she does the 400 free or not.”

Belmonte is scheduled to swim the 400m freestyle on Day 4 (Friday), as well as the 200m IM on Day 5 (Saturday), but her participation is yet to be determined now for both. We will report any scratches once known.