M200Back: Kós Leads First All-Europe Podium In Paris Pool
"The magic touch is the work. He doesn't let us be second best. He doesn't let us stoop down to a level he doesn't want from us. That brings out the best in us." - Hubert Kós on coach Bob Bowman
When Hungary's Hubert Kós stopped the clock in 1:54.26 for his debut Olympic title, he led the first European podium in the Paris pool in 2024.
That continental sweep had only ever happened twice before since the French capital staged the event in 1900 only to see the 200m backstroke removed from the program until reinstatement in 1964.
The Paris 1900 podium was all-European and it happened again in 1992 when Martin Lopez Zubero thrilled a home crown in Barcelona with victory over Vladimir Selkov, of Russia, and Italy's Stefano Battistelli.
The 2024 race is the third European sweep in all those years. The lion's share of prizes have gone to the United States but now an American has played a hand in asking Americans to stop up because the world has caught up and passed you when the racing counts most.
That man is Bob Bowman. He who guided Michael Phelps, is guiding Léon Marchand and shifted from Arizona State University at the end of the college season his year to take up the reins at the Longhorns in Texas.
