Chinese swimmer Xu Yanwei, a silverist in 4x200m free relay at Athens Olympics, on Friday deliberately let loose the women's 100m freestyle heat in order to concentrate on the 100m butterfly finals at the Bangkok Universiade.
Awaring of the impossibility to swim to finals in half an hour, Xu swam the 100m free heat in 59.97 seconds to be the last one to touch the end.
The 23-year-old clocked 59.78 seconds in previous 100m butterfly heat, clinching a final berth on the fifth place.
"She deliberately gave up 100m freestyle to make full preparation for the 100m butterfly finals," China's assistant coach You Songhui said.
Another assistant coach Liu Zhenqing said the schedule was improper for Xu.
"We have to find the best way to solve the problem produced by the schedule. Finally we decide to give up the 100m freestyle if she makes the 100m butterfly finals," Liu said.
Pang Jiaying is the only Chinese swimmer in the 100m freestyle final as she finished seventh in 56.52.
Source: Xinhua
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