There has still been no full announcement about the non-Brazilian rosters for the 2016 Raia Rápida meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the end of this month, but each of the four teams have named their captains for the event.
- Brazil – Bruno Fratus (full Brazilian roster)
- South Africa – Roland Schoeman
- United States – Anthony Ervin
- Italy – Fabio Scozzoli
At last year’s Raia Rápida, which was ultimately won by the team from Brazil, Ervin topped the 50 free in 22.43. Schoeman placed 3rd in the 50 fly in 2015, and Scozzoli was 3rd for Italy in the 50 breaststroke.
Combined, these four captains have 7 Olympic medals and 17 World Championship medals.
Full rosters for the teams, who will compete for $100,000 Brazilian Reais in prize money (approximately $30,000 USD), are expected later this week.
Ervin won 2 gold medals at the Rio Olympics, and at 35 became the oldest swimmer to win an individual gold medal when he topped the 50 free. He also won that race at the 2000 Olympics – 16 years ago. This will be his fourth-straight Raia Rápida appearance, having appeared in all but the initial version in 2012.
Gonna be a tight race for 1st