• London 2012 - Swimming

Ye shrugs off controversy to claim gold in 200m IM

ESPN staff
July 31, 2012
Ye Shiwen was again too strong for the field in the 200m individual medley © PA Photos
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Ye Shiwen produced another stellar performance to set a new Olympic record and win the women's 200m individual medley at London 2012.

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China's teenage swimming sensation Ye smashed a world record with a stunning display in the 400m individual medley on Monday, a victory which fuelled controversy with some questioning - without substantiation - the legitimacy of her preparations.

However, the 16-year-old, who has since defended herself by saying "Chinese people have clean hands", put the raging argument behind her with a classy showing as she became a double Olympic champion at the Aquatics Centre.

Leading at the halfway stage, Ye was overtaken by Caitlin Leverenz on the breaststroke leg before pulling through with a late flourish in the freestyle to touch in 2:07.57.

Australia's Alicia Coutts took silver, with Leverenz completing the rostrum. Great Britain's Hannah Miley was seventh in 2:11.29.

Miley said: "I'm so happy I've made it in the final. I was 11th last time [at the 2008 Olympics] and seventh now. I'm really chuffed with how this meet's gone, and it's been so much better than Beijing. As a swimmer I've loved every moment of it."

In the women's 200m freestyle final, Britain's Caitlin McClatchley could only manage a seventh-placed finish as she was eased out of the medal places. America's Allison Schmitt claimed gold in an Olympic record time of 1.53.61, with Camille Muffat taking silver and Bronte Barratt bronze.

Michael Jamieson, who set a new British 200m breaststroke record earlier in the day, beat his own marker with a time of 2.08.20 in the semis, winning his race with ease. On current form a bronze should be the least of the Brit's expectations as he heads for the final. Andrew Willis also went fast, clocking 2.08.47, and the British duo were two of the fastest three qualifiers for the final.

Jemma Lowe can also look forward to a final after she qualified eighth from the women's 200m butterfly semis. Lowe clocked 2:07.37, although her personal best is faster than Kathleen Hersey's 2.05.90, which was the fastest time of the night.

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