European Championships: Yohann Ndoye Brouard First Major Casualty of Two-Per-Nation Rule
The first major casualty of the European Championships’ two-per-nation rule unfolded on Tuesday morning in Paris, as Frenchman Yohann Ndoye Brouard was eliminated from the 200-meter backstroke. The bronze medalist in the event from last summer’s World Championships, Ndoye Brouard put together a fine performance during the morning session, clocking 1:55.91 for a share of fifth place.
However, the European Championships operate with a rule that limits a country to advancing only two swimmers out of the preliminary heats, and Ndoye Brouard found himself behind a pair of countrymen. Rising star Nathan Muratory delighted the home crowd with a world junior record of 1:54.87 to nail down the top seed in the semifinals, while Mewen Tomac qualified in the No. 2 position, going 1:55.14. As a result, Ndoye Brouard will be an evening spectator.
The Pan Pacific Championships, which will open pool competition on Wednesday, will utilize a similar format. Nations competing at the meet in Irvine, California will be limited to two athletes in the championship final or consolation final. For some countries, the guideline makes for fast prelims sessions.
Ndoye Brouard still has the 100 backstroke to come at the European Championships, an event in which he also won the bronze medal at the last edition of the World Champs. Ndoye Brouard owns the French record in the event at 51.92 and is one of nine men to break the 52-second barrier.
