Thompson bags bronze in 1,500 free

By Benjamin Singer

Daily Sports Writer

On the last day of Olympic swimming in Sydney, Australia, Michigan senior Chris Thompson added his name to the list of Wolverine medalists by taking the bronze and setting a new American record in the 1,500-meter freestyle Friday morning.

Thompson's time of 14:56.81 bettered American Erik Vendt's previous record of 14:59.11, set at the U.S. Olympic trials Aug. 16.

"It's been a longtime goal of his to be the American record-holder," assistant Michigan coach Eric Namesnik said. "It's a surprise, but he's been getting better and better, so it's not that big of a surprise."

Australia's Grant Hackett finished first in 14:48.33, upsetting fellow countryman and silver-medalist Kieren Perkins.

After falling to sixth place through the first 250 meters, Thompson moved into third place two laps later. He was then locked in a battle with Russia's Alexei Filipets, South Africa's Ryk Neethling and Vendt for third place.

University of Arizona graduate Neethling finished first ahead of Thompson in the mile swim at the NCAA Championships in Thompson's first two years at Michigan. University of Southern California sophomore Vendt defeated Thompson last year.

Namesnik does not expect that Thompson felt any rivalry with those two or used it as a motivation for this swim.

"I talked to him in between the prelims and the finals and I said it's just about going in there and racing," Namesnik said.

After a preliminary time of 15:11.21, Thompson was not a favorite to medal, but proved to be up to the challenge in the finals.

"For Chris to make it to the Olympics was obviously a goal," Namesnik said. "The next goal was to get into the finals and put himself into a position to win a medal. To get that medal was an outside chance.

"It's a tribute to the hard work he's put in," Namesnik said.

Thompson, the only current Michigan swimmer competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics, will be staying in Australia through the closing ceremonies. He will come back to Michigan and the swim team early next week, when it will be business as usual.

But Thompson will not go unnoticed by his teammates as an Olympic medalist.

"He'll assume a greater leadership role," said Namesnik, who spent his senior year at Michigan after winning a silver in the 400-meter individual medley in the Barcelona Olympics eight years ago. "He'll feel a sense of accomplishment and obligation to come back and lead the team."