Schoeman spoils Foster's party

04 August 2002

Roland Schoeman from South Africa stole the men’s 50m freestyle gold by just 100th of a second from Brett Hawke of Australia and Englishman, Mark Foster.

Schoeman takes gold in 50m freestyle

The Manchester Aquatics Centre was treated to a thrilling opening race, on this, the final evening of competition at Manchester 2002.

Schoeman (22.33) in adding a gold to the silver medal he won in the 50m butterfly on Thursday, enhances his international reputation in men’s sprint swimming arena.

Schoeman said: “That was spectacular. Being able to get up and compete against Brett and Mark and race them to the end. It’s amazing – we all know each other really well.

“I’ve swum in America with Brett and Mark and I have raced so many times before, to race against friends is something special."

“Obviously there’s a tension to perform well. But it’s also so relaxed – there’s no hatred or anything like that.”

Yesterday, the crowd had been treated to two Games records in as many minutes. Schoeman had beaten Foster’s four-year-old record, only for Hawke to lower the barrier in the second semi-final.

The battle for medals was always going to be between these three world-class competitors – the only question was who had the nerve to take gold.

Foster, in his fifth Commonwealth Games looked devastated, but the achievement he has amassed must not be underestimated. Foster has now won medals at every Commonwealth Games for the last twelve years, and will come away from Manchester with two bronze medals.

Crowd favourite Foster commented: “I felt bad all week. I don’t know whether to rest or train through it. I’m very conscious of wearing this suit, and not breathing properly. I’m gutted.

“I’m bigger, stronger, fitter and more experienced than before, and it still wasn’t there. I’ve not been feeling too bad, and I was certainly up for it. But I’m just not doing myself justice. Maybe I’ve been racing too much.

“I’ve got to look at it closely and find out what’s wrong.”

Speculation over Foster’s future looks set to mount following this result.

Schoeman and Hawke got the better starts, but Foster’s underwater stretch saw him come up in first place.

The next stage was crucial and Schoeman, almost ten years Foster’s junior, clawed his way past into the University of Bath swimmer into the gold medal position.

Brett Hawke took the silver on the strength of his finish, touching the poolside in full flight, with Foster caught in mid-stroke.

Hawke said afterwards: “I knew it would come down to the touch in the end. I would have liked gold, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m ecstatic with silver, as it’s my first major competition with a medal. I was a bit panicky at the start, because my suit broke and I had to rush out and change it. This made me feel a little rushed in the first 25 metres.”

Further back in the field, the South African contingent of Ryk Neethling (22.49) fourth, and Nicholas Folkner (23.40).

England’s Matthew Kidd (22.69), who had qualified as a fastest loser took sixth spot.