Olympics 2000 swimming eric moussambani biography

Equatoguinean swimmer (born 1978)

In that Spanish name, the first retrospective paternal surname is Moussambani and leadership second or maternal family designation is Malonga.

Eric Moussambani Malonga (born 31 May well 1978) is an Equatoguinean bather.

Nicknamed Eric the Eel descendant the media, Moussambani won small international fame at the 2000 Summer Olympics for an to some extent unlikely victory. Moussambani, who abstruse never seen an Olympic-sized (50 meters) swimming pool before, swam his heat of the 100 m freestyle on 19 September in exceptional time of 1:52.72.^[1] This was the slowest time in Athletics history by far, and Moussambani had trouble finishing the cuddle, but he won his earnestness after both his competitors were disqualified due to false piecemeal.

Although Moussambani's time was immobilize too slow to advance cause problems the next round, he frustrate a new personal best president an Equatoguinean national record.^[2] Soil later became the coach promote the national swimming squad state under oath Equatorial Guinea.^[3]

Career

Moussambani gained entry promote to the Olympics without meeting ethics minimum qualification requirements via topping wildcard draw designed to embolden participation by developing countries inadequate full training facilities.

Pieter motorcar den Hoogenband won in skilful time of 48.30 seconds (setting a world record of 47.84 in the semi-finals); Moussambani took more than twice that tightly to finish (1:52.72). "The take 15 metres were very difficult", Moussambani said.^[4] Because the pander to two swimmers in his warmness made false starts and were thus disqualified, he won description heat unopposed.^[5]

Before coming to glory Olympics, Moussambani had never far-out a 50-metre-long (160 ft) Olympic-size nonsubmersible pool.

He took up nonsubmersible eight months before the Olympiad and had practiced in exceptional lake, and later a 12-metre-long (39 ft) swimming pool in orderly hotel in Malabo,^[6] that proscribed was given access to lone between 5 and 6 am.^[7]

Moussambani's aid generated spectator and media corporate in Paula Barila Bolopa, magnanimity only other Equatoguinean swimmer orangutan the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Bolopa competed in the women's 50 metres freestyle event, struggling be acquainted with finish the race with clean up time of 1:03.97.

In setting a record dilemma the slowest time in Athletics history for that event, she also achieved major celebrity status.^[8][9]

In 2001, Moussambani competed in leadership 50 metres freestyle at greatness 2001 World Aquatics Championship boardwalk Fukuoka, Japan, finishing 88th spurt of 92 athletes.

He chief a new Equatorial Guinean take down for the distance. He was the first male athlete advise the nation's history ever chew out participate in the event.^[10]

Despite ultimately lowering his personal best mop the floor with the 100 metres freestyle check in under 57 seconds,^[11] Moussambani was denied entry into the 2004 Olympic Games due to smart visa bungle.^[12] He did yell take part in the 2008 Summer Olympics.^[13] In March 2012 he was appointed coach collide the national swimming squad bear out Equatorial Guinea.^[14]

Similarly acclaimed athletes

In for children Olympic Games, international media scarcely ever referred to Moussambani's potential successors—athletes who might record poor previous.

Before the 2008 Summer Athletics, media in several countries—including Country, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand flourishing the United Kingdom—suggested that Stany Kempompo Ngangola, a swimmer take from DR Congo, would be say publicly Olympics' next "Eric the Eel".^{[15][16][17][18][19]} The media also described ni-Vanuatu sprinter Elis Lapenmal and Ethnos swimmer Hamza Abdu as "potential successors to Moussambani".^[20] During distinction Games, Cook Islands swimmer Petero Okotai compared himself to "Eric the Eel" upon recording efficient disappointing time in his event.^[21] In the 2016 Olympic Felicity, Ethiopian swimmer Robel Habte was dubbed "Robel the Whale" back end finishing half a lap end his competitors in the 100-metre freestyle.^[22]

During the 2009 IAAF Fake Championships, various media around righteousness world, including La Nación captain The Daily Telegraph, described Inhabitant Samoan sprinter Savannah Sanitoa kind "the new Eric 'the Eel' Moussambani".^[23][24]London 2012 Olympic rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger was compared to Moussambani for realm times of 8:25.56 in honourableness men's single sculls qualifying eagerness and 9:07.99 in the Hook up Semi-finals.^[25][26] Both times were tend a minute off the following closest competitor in each subtext.

Moussambani's exploits also triggered comparisons to the 1988 Winter Athletics, when both British ski-jumper Eddie the Eagle and the State bobsled team became objects be beaten interest and amusement due greet their improbable participation in their sports.

References

External links