Aussies left Misty-eyed

The two favorites in the 200 butterfly can't keep up with American Misty Hyman.

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 21, 2000

SYDNEY, Australia -- Misty Hyman's first golden words upon touching the wall at the thundering Sydney International Aquatic Center expressed the shock and surprise of an incredible accomplishment.

"Oh, my God!"

What more could she say after annihilating a star-studded field in the 200-meter butterfly Wednesday in perhaps the most stunning upset at the Olympics?

The Stanford senior brought down two of Australia's finest female swimmers before their countrymen in a stirring race that seemed to give the Americans a needed lift.

All the doubts and questions Hyman endured this year were washed away for two resplendent minutes -- two minutes during which she put together an ideal swim, said Richard Quick, the U.S. coach.

Entering her first Olympics, Hyman faced a raucous crowd that assumed Australians would win gold and silver. The press had deemed it so with cover stories on Susie O'Neill.

O'Neill broke the 19-year-old world record at the Australian Olympic trials in May with a time of 2 minutes, 5.81 seconds. She broke what had been the oldest standing swim record, and the defending Olympic champion had not lost a 200 butterfly in four years. O'Neill's biggest competition was supposed to be Petria Thomas, a 1996 silver medalist. Hyman was an afterthought.

Hyman, 21, didn't worry about the Aussies' credentials as she walked to the starting block in the spacious swim center, where the noise level rises every time an Australian dives into the pool.

"I was looking at the crowd," she said, "feeling at peace. I have had a hard time feeling peaceful at big meets."

She smiled and waved to the appreciative fans before stepping to the block. Then she was gone. With startling speed, Hyman jetted across the pool and reached the first turn in step with Thomas. She crossed 100 meters in less than a minute to pull away from two swimmers thought invincible. By 150 meters, Hyman appeared untouchable. But she had been in that position before. At the U.S. Olympic trials she barely held on in the last 25 meters to edge Kaitlin Sandeno.

On her final turn, she told herself, "I can do this. I can finish this." She powered through to the wall, just missing the world record with a time of 2:05.88. It hardly mattered on the day she dropped a little more than three seconds from her personal best.

"I must admit I'm pretty surprised that she held on for that last 50 because she's well known to die out on the last 50," O'Neill said. "I swam as well as I could. Obviously, I'm disappointed. Unfortunately, I know my best time would've done it. I think I went as fast as I could."

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