Barcelona (Spain), July 25: The 1992 Barcelona Olympics may be a fading memory, but Alexander Popov's presence still provokes cheers in the Catalan capital. The Russian swimmer repeated his winning performance from the '92 games by winning the gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle at the World Swimming Championships yesterday.
The 31-year-old Popov upstaged current world record- holder Pieter Van Den Hoogenband and Ian Thorpe in winning swimming's signature event. "Barcelona has always been a special city in my life," the four-time Olympic champion said. "This is the place where I started ... and continue." Popov finished in 48.42 seconds, forcing the 25-year-old dutch Olympic champion Van Den Hoogenband to settle for silver (48.68) and 20-year-old Thorpe to satisfy himself with bronze (48.77).

Popov received the loudest cheers of the championships from the Palau St Jordi crowd, which was estimated at 11,150 - breaking the 1992 record for a swimming event in Spain.

Virtually unknown before winning his first golds here 11 years ago, Popov is now a member of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' commission.

"I use the IOC sessions as a recovery phase" from training, Popov said. "I swim easy in the hotels."

Thorpe, who has succeeded Popov as the world's top swimmer, had some high praise for his idol.

Bureau Report.