Hersey Leads The Way, Jiao Close
Jul 31, 2012
Olympic Games, London, Day 4
Womens' 200 Butterfly Semi-final
The silver medallist from this event in Beijing Liuyang Jiao of China took this race out and led solidly from start to finish; she turned at the 100 in 59.99, followed by Natsumi Hoshi of Japan. With one more metre Hoshi might have nailed it - but the semi finished up with Jiao in first 206:10, Natsumi second in a comfortable 2:06.37, and Camille Adams (USA) in for third with 2:07.33.
Following her teammate's lead Zige Liu (CHN) led this race to the 100 mark - but this season's fastest was not able to sustain it. American Kathleen Hersey moved up to touch first at the 150 turn - and held on with a solid lead to win the heat in 2:05.90. Mireia Garcia Belmonte (ESP) moved in for second in 2:06.62 - and Hungary's Zsuzsanna Jakabos touched third in 2:06.82.
The final lines up with Hersey in lane 4 - followd by Jiao, Hoshi and Belmonte. Britain's Jemma Lowe made it into the top eight - sealing the final with 2:07.37.
Canada's Audrey Lacroix missed out on the final in 2:08.00 - for 12th place. Olympic silver medallist from Athens Otylia Jedrzejcak finished four seconds off her morning time of 2:09.33 and placed a mysterious 16th in 2:13.09.