Update: Two more were added in late qualifying, bringing the total to 7. Read more here.
Mexico, with only a single swimmer achieving a FINA Automatic Qualifying times, has announced a 5-swimmer roster for the 2012 London after the Olympic “B” time invitations all out, and all but one of them have strong ties to the state of Texas.
Christian Schurr and Susana Escobar are both former Texas Longhorns, with Schurr specializing in the breaststrokes and Escobar taking on the distance freestyles. A pair of their rivals from Texas A&M – freestyler Lili Ibanez and butterflier Rita Medrano – will also join them.
The long automatic qualifier is Fernanda Gonzalez, a backstroker, who already achieved her entry in the 200 backstroke. With FINA’s announcement, however, she’s added entries in the 100 back and 200 IM to her schedule through B-times.
This roster is unlikely to score any medals, but Gonzalez was 19th in the 200 back at last year’s World Championships and has an outside chance at a semi-final in the 200 back.
Schurr will be the only male on the Mexican roster, barring scratches, after they sent 4 to the World Championships.
Among the notable absences from the team are two other Aggie Israel Duran-Mata and Erica Dittmer; as well as Patricia Castenada, the latter of whom was 16th in the women’s 1500 in Shanghai and 20th in the 800 (8:42.65). Dittmer broke multiple National Records at Mexico’s Olympic Trials and achieved several “B” times.
Only 2 of the 6 swimmers the Mexicans entered in the Games in Beijing are returning for London – Escobar and Gonzalez.
The full roster is below, including entry times (to give some idea about where the cutoff lines were drawn). Keep in mind that athletes who have achieved ‘A’ standards (in this case, Gonzalez) can swim any event in which they have a ‘B’ standard, within the other rules about limits of athletes per country per event.
Christian Schurr – 200 breaststroke (2:12.81)
Rita Medrano – 200 fly (2:10.15)
Lili Ibanez – 200 free (2:00.37)
Susana Escobar – 400 free (4:13.38)
Fernanda Gonzalez – 100/200 back, 200 IM
SO IF OTHER COUTRIES TURN DOWN THE INVITATION THERE IS A CHANCE? BUT THOSE COUNTRIES HAS TO DECLINE IN THE SAME STROKE, DISTANCE AN GENDER?
AND THEN IN THE NEXT SWIMMERS HAS THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU,
Generally speaking, yes, it would have to be the same event. Many countries will turn down bids, so there’s still a good chance. Stay tuned, all will be final by Monday.
GO CHRISTIAN!!!!
Is this the last oficial roster ? is definitevely this Mexican roster or are they still waiting for more invitations, in 1500 mts. freestyle (male), and 200 fly (male)? is there any chance
Beatriz – still a chance as swimmers from other countries turn down bids, more get invited.