Rakhi P Nair
What better way to retain your previous win by making a new record? Bobby Finke or as he is dubbed the Fabulous Finke, created ripples with his outstanding performance in 2024 summer Olympics in Paris. He did so by breaking a 12 year old record previously held by Sun Yang in 2012 London Olympics. Finke swam to the new record with an impressive timing of 14 minutes and 30.67 seconds in the men’s 1,500m freestyle. With this he became the first male swimmer since Grant Hackett to go back to back in a 30 lap event in 2000-04.
A 12 year old record and a Doping Controversy
Sun Yang of China was the previous record holder for the men’s freestyle event. In 2012 Sun became the first Chinese athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s swimming event. Sun found himself in a Doping Controversy with his eight year suspension by the World Anti- Doping Agency in 2020. With Finke breaking his world record the former Olympian’s name is officially rubbed out of the record books
Insights into the swim
Finke in a press meeting says his aim was not to break the record but to do his best and get his hand on the wall. He also adds, “I did it with a world record so I’m really proud about that” Finke also says he was aware of his opponent Daniel Wiffen catching up to him. He recalls how the last 400m was hurting him. Finke also gleefully adds, “these guys (Gregorio Paltrinieri and Daniel Wiffen) were pushing me the whole way. I didn’t want them to catch me, but they were catching me. I just kept pushing.”
Finke became the first American to win gold at a men’s freestyle event since Mike Burton. This gives the USA a huge advantage on the final night of swimming at the Paris Olympics.