2000 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 M)
The 5th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) were held at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece from 16–19 March 2000. The meet resulted in 15 world records: 2 established in the heats, 4 in the semi-finals, and 9 in the finals.
The USA emerged with most golds with 9, and 25 total medals, as they sent a strong team of university graduates. Their totals could have been higher but for backstroker Lenny Krayzelburg’s injury. Notably, 23 countries shared in the 120 medals, as strong countries like Australia and Germany sent small teams. Canada only sent a team of six (four women and two men), who gave a very good account of themselves with four silvers and one bronze and five Canadian records.
The facility in Athens was outstanding, part of the Olympic complex built in 1990. It includes two outdoor 50 m pools and an indoor 50 m pool with seating on both sides for over 4,000. The outdoor complex was the site of the European LC Championships 1991 and the 2004 Summer Olympics.
The 40-event program with three rounds (heats, semi-finals, and finals) for the 50 m events (all in one day) and the 100 m events (over two days) made it impossible for some prominent swimmers to swim their regular events. Many scratched after the first round.
Read more about 2000 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 M): Men's Events, Women's Events, Medal Table
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“Sabbath. A weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh.”
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914)
“Mead had studied for the ministry, but had lost his faith and took great delight in blasphemy. Capt. Charles H. Frady, pioneer missionary, held a meeting here and brought Mead back into the fold. He then became so devout that, one Sunday, when he happened upon a swimming party, he shot at the people in the river, and threatened to kill anyone he again caught desecrating the Sabbath.”
—For the State of Nebraska, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)