Alex Meyer, who became the first American in any sport to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, has been removed from the USA Swimming roster for the 2011 Pan American Games that will begin in less than two weeks. Meyer was to swim the 10k, which is the only open water event of the Pan Am Games.
Meyer qualified for the Olympics by way of his 4th-place finish in the 10km swim at the Shanghai World Championships in July. The top-10 finishers in that meet all earned their way automatically through to London.
Meyer would have been the heavy favorite to win Pan American gold in the event. The race should now be between Canada’s Richard Weinberger, Brazil’s Allan do Carmo, and Mexico’s Luis Ricardo Escobar Torres.
Venezuela’s Erwin Maldonado and Argentina’s Guillermo Bartola could also be a factor, though they generally tend towards the longer, 25km race.
don – that’s the same story I heard (though the emphasis was put on the former rather than the latter) but was asked not to repeat it. Guess it’s out there now, so that’s not a concern anymore!
Another swim site is reporting he withdrew for two reasons:injury that prevented him from training effectivly and desire to spend the anniversary of Fran’s death with the Crippen family. I had heard previously his back was bothering him but he doesnt specify the injury in his statement.
Can’t believe it has all ready been one year since Fran died. Still hard to take in.
I am interested to know the why as well. Where do Frayler and Peterson train? Can they be ready to go if they get the nod?
Peterson is recharging for the next year. Have confirmed that Warkentin retired. Frayler, who’s already on the squad, is probable to add the 10k to his schedule.
does anyone know why he backed out? anyone going to replace him from usa?
Working on the why…as for a replacement, I’d guess nobody. He was the only open water entry as it was…The men’s open water ranks are much thinner than the women’s. We didn’t even use up all of our spots at Worlds. Ryan and Gemmell probably took a “pass” to focus on college. Next in line would be Warkentin (not likely, with a 2012 bid out of the picture), Arthur Frayler, and Chip Peterson.