- SHANGHAI: While standout Brazilian sprinter Cesar Cielo waits for his status to be determined by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, one thing is certain for the women’s signature events at the world swimming championships: the Dutch pose a serious threat.
Ranomi Kromowidjojo, who has overcome a recent serious bout of meningitis, is among the favorites next week for the 50- and 100-meter freestyle races and along with Frederike Heemskerk, Inge Dekker and Marleen Velduis, the Flying Dutchwomen are undoubtedly the team to beat in the 400 freestyle relay.
The same four women have won the relay at the last two major international meets — the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 worlds in Rome — when they also set the current world record.