Knedla Banks The First Czech Gold & Any Medal Since T0he 50 Back Was Born in 1999
The backstroke dash had known victories by just 0.01sec before, but a whole podium, split by 0.03 and a top four by 0.04 is unprecedented.
Miroslav Knedla is the man of Czechia with the Midas Touch and the 50m backstroke crown on his head, in 24.11. That marked Czechia's first gold and first medal of any colour in the event since its introduction in 1999.
World record-holder Kliment Kolesnikov - 24.12, fellow neutral Pavel Samusenko - 24.14.
Knedla, a World and European junior champion in his youth, has his first senior international honour, one that topped a podium that locked Greek defender Apostolos Christou out by 0.01, his bid for a three peat thwarted.
If the 0.01sec record for victory by the smallest margin was set by Stev Theloke and Darius Grigalionis for respective gold and silver 0.01se apart in 2000 now has a match, then the record for the tightest podium belonged to the same race, and has been broken: 0.08sec was the gold to bronze gap between Theloke and Spain's David Ortega.
Photos by Patrick B. Kraemer
The history file below...
