Preview: Manaudou in record programme - Hoogenband returns to action

By Dietmar Fuchs Jul 30, 2006, 13:40 GMT

Budapest - Even though she gave the 50 metres backstroke a late miss, Olympic champion Laure Manaudou of France is set to make swimming history at the European Championships from Monday onwards.

Manaudou, 19, is listed for the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle races, the 100m backstroke as well as the 200m and 400m medley races. She is also likely to compete in the French 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays.

According to swimming officials, Manaudou would swim 4,800 metres in 17 starts over seven days in the six individual events alone if she makes all finals - an overall distance no swimmer has ever attempted at a major meet.

Manaudou's first gold medal chance comes Monday in the 400m medley - one of four finals along with the men's 400m freestyle, where Polish youngster Mateusz Sawrymowicz could steal the title - and the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relays.

Her best event, the 400m freestyle - where she is the Olympic and world champion and record-holder - comes on the final day of the competition Sunday.

'I want to defend my 400m freestyle title. That's my most important goal,' said Manaudou, who in May lowered the world record to 4 minutes 03.03 seconds.

Manaudou also leads the 400m medley European rankings, but in this first race Monday will face a stiff challenge from Zsuzsanna Jakabos, the latest in a long and proud Hungarian medley swimming tradition.

'I lack the experience in the 400m medley, that's something I can't overcome in training,' said Manaudou modestly.

On the men's side, Dutch star Pieter van den Hoogenband swims his first major event since winning a second straight Olympic gold in the blue-riband 100m freestyle at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Van den Hoogenband was sidelined in 2005 due to surgery on a slipped disk.

His duel Friday with Filippo Magnini of Italy, the world champion and 2006 world leader, is billed as one of the highlights of the championships.

Other stars among the 602 swimmers from 40 countries competing in 32 events include Olympic champions Yana Klochkova of Ukraine (medley), Lars Frolander of Sweden (butterfly), Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy (medley) and local Agnes Kovacs (breaststroke).