Silver swims pleases Bovell

Four-time Olympian George Bovell is pleased with his two silver medals at the two-day Doha, Qatar-leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming Short Course World Cup at the Hamad Aquatic Centre, on the weekend. On Sunday, the 29-year-old Bovell, who was seventh in the men’s 50 metres freestyle final at the London Olympic Games on August 3, sped home in 21.06 seconds, to set a new lifetime best and national record, behind USA’s Anthony Ervin (21.02). Ervin also finished ahead a week earlier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, clocking 21.18 seconds, with Bovell clocking 21.23. Commenting on his second place in the 50m freestyle, Bovell said, “A new lifetime best and new national record in the 50m freestyle was good, but I had to settle for a very close second.” 

 

 

With regards to his race tactics, the double Pan American gold and silver medallist said he stayed too long under water on the turn for home. “ I think I spent too much time underwater dolphin kicking after the turn, when it would have been better to pop up sooner and swim. An intense rivalry is emerging with Ervin that is propelling us both to phenomenal times as 21.0 is incredibly fast. We are approaching the times done by the body suits. I continue to improve, which is very encouraging.”  Looking ahead to the rest of the World Cup, Bovell said: “My next battle with Ervin will be in Stockholm on October 13 and 14 and I intend to come out on top."

 

 

He added: “All things considered, my swims here were lifetime bests. That is something an athlete needs to recognise, appreciate and give thanks for, because we work so hard, for so long and moments like this in sport are so sweet, but few and far between.” On Saturday, Bovell also earned a second silver in the men’s 100 metres individual, in a new national record and lifetime best of 51.87 seconds. Australian Kenneth To (51.58) took gold while South African Darian Townsend got bronze in 52.76 seconds. In addition to Stockholm, Bovell is scheduled to compete in Russia, October 17-18; Germany, October 20-21;  China,  November 2-3; Japan, November 6-7 and Singapore, November 10-11.