Swimming
Oussama Mellouli was a bronze medalist at the 2003 Worlds in the 400 metre IM, so he was a decent bet to become Tunisia's first Olympic swimming medallist, but he ended up falling 2 seconds short in the 400 metre IM final. He also just failed to make the final in the 200 metre IM, missing out by just 0.02 seconds. Still, Mellouli had a strong games, setting new African records with three of his swims.
Men's 200 metre Freestyle:
- Anouar Ben Naceur
- Heat: 1:54.69 (50th overall, did not advance)
Men's 1500 metre Freestyle:
- Oussama Mellouli
- Heat: 15:18.98 (14th overall, did not advance)
Men's 200 metre Individual Medley:
- Oussama Mellouli
- Heat: 2:01.94 (15th overall, Qualified) (African Record)
- Semifinal: 2:01.11 (9th overall, did not advance) (African Record)
Men's 400 metre Individual Medley:
- Oussama Mellouli
- Heat: 4:16.68 (T-6th overall, Qualified)
- Final: 4:14.49 (5th overall)(African Record)
Read more about this topic: Tunisia At The 2004 Summer Olympics
Famous quotes containing the word swimming:
“Awareness of having better things to do with their lives is the secret to immunizing our children against false values—whether presented on television or in “real life.” The child who finds fulfillment in music or reading or cooking or swimming or writing or drawing is not as easily convinced that he needs recognition or power or some “high” to feel worthwhile.”
—Polly Berrien Berends (20th century)
“Whenever parents become overly invested in a particular skill or accomplishment, a child’s fear of failure multiplies. This is why some children refuse to get into the pool for a swimming lesson, or turn their back on Daddy’s favorite sport.”
—Cathy Rindner Tempelsman (20th century)
“Loosed betwixt eye and lid, the swimming beams
Of memory, blind school of cuttlefish,
Rise to the air, plunge to the cold streams....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)