Bovell III strikes gold again

GEORGE BOVELL III won his second gold medal  at the FINA Swimming World Cup eighth-stage series, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which came to a close yesterday. This time, the six-foot-five-inch Bovell took the gold in the 200-metre Individual Medley final, his third medal in two days. On Saturday the 20-year-old won the 100 metres Individual Medley  final and collected a silver medal in the 100 metres. A day later, the quadruple 2003 Pan Am Games medallist claimed the 200 metres Individual Medley gold in a new national record time of one minute 57.57 seconds, with Brazilian Thiago Pereira next in 1:58.16 and Christian Keller of Germany third in 2:00.10.

American Mark Gangloff placed fourth in 2:01.56, while Brazilian Caio Moretzsohn was fifth in 2:02.15, Norwegian Alexsander Hetland sixth in 2:03.03, Australian Leith Brodie seventh in 2:04.94 and Brazilian Jose De Souza last in 2:05.44. Bovell, who will return to his base at Auburn University, to prepare for the NCAA Championships in March, was accompanied to the meet by his parents George II and Patricia, as well as coach Anil Roberts. The 2003 TT “Swimmer of the Year” used the event as a warm-up ahead of the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in August.