Final Thorpe record erased from books

German Paul Biedermann erased the final Ian Thorpe world record from the swimming
history books on Sunday and in the process stole the Thorpedo's trademark finish.
Biedermann sliced one hundredth of a second off Thorpe's 2002 world record when he
won the 400m freestyle at the FINA world championships in a time of three minutes
40.07 seconds.
Proving even the greatest of swimming records cannot survive in the new generation
of swim suit era, Biedermann did the unthinkable and swam home over the Thorpedo.
He swum the final 100m in 52.90s, compared to Thorpe's 54.65s.
Adding further disbelief to the situation is the fact the German was ranked outside
the top 20 in 2008, slashed over seven seconds off his personal best time and never
thought he'd make the final of the event.
Biedermann, to his credit, admitted his Arena X-Glide suit made at least two seconds
difference but is not ashamed to take a record off a "swimming legend" under
suspicious circumstances.
"Ian Thorpe was a swimming idol to me. I'm really proud to take his world record. I
feel really honoured about it," said Biedermann.
"But even if I did beat one of his world records, he is still a legend.
"I think the swimmers right now are in a lose lose position.
"The suits make us swim really fast and yeah it made me really fast. I honestly
think it was worth about two seconds in this race in the 400.
"I really really hope next year we can go back to the normal one because it's
important for the sport.
"I think the suits destroy a little bit of the real sport. It's not any more about
technique ... it is just put this thing on and feel really, really fast in the
water.
"I really appreciate that all the new suits should be banned."
Asked if he was admitting he would not have swum the record without the new
generation suit, Biederman said:
"One the one hand I want to say 'yes it was only me' but on the other hand I have to
say yes, it was also the suit'," he said.
"I feel no shame to swim it, I feel proud to swim it. But on the one hand what would
you swim without the suit?"
Thorpe watched the race from Japan, where he was conducting a promotional appearance.
"I would like to congratulate Paul on a great swim and world record," said the
Australian.
"This world record particularly meant a lot to me as did this event and I will
always have fond memories of this but today is about Paul Biedermann celebrating an
amazing swim.
"I send my best wishes."
Biedermann beat Tunisian 1500m freestyle Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli (3:41.11)
into second with Zhang Lin (3:41.35) of China finishing third.
Mellouli defended Biedermann's record saying that "Thorpe broke the world record
swimming in a full body suit too".
Bob Bowman, coach of US superstar Michael Phelps who once tried and failed in his
400m attempt to gun down Thorpe, was amazed the record fell.
"I thought it would never be broken," Bowman said.
"I thought it was the best record.
"I hope we don't forget Ian Thorpe now that he's off the record board.
"He really revolutionised the sport in the last 10 years."
Australian head coach Alan Thompson was stunned to see Biedermann finish stronger
than Thorpe ever could and says it's clearly a sign the new suits provide too much
assistance in core stability.
"You can maintain your body position for longer, that is what it allows you to do,"
said Thompson.
"There's not too many people that can come home like Thorpey can come home. He
certainly showed he could do that."