As stage three (swimming) of the women's competition of the 2007 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final got off to a splash at the Ying Tung Natatorium, all eyes were on Sheila Taormina (USA) of Heat Four. Taormina is the world record holder in the modern pentathlon swimming discipline.
She began as a relay swimming gold medalist at the Athens Olympics, but Taormina made the transition to modern pentathlon after competing in the triathlon at the last two Olympic Games. Today she finished in a time of 2'07''54 and scored 1,392 points, for the first place position in the swimming event.
In Heat One, Chinese swimmer Liu Zhou triggered plenty of cheers from the crowds as she steamed ahead to a lead of more than a body length, to finish in a time of 2'22''28, for 1,216 points. Heat Two saw Liu's teammate, Xiu Xiu, replicate the performance, winning her heat comfortably in 2'15''58 for 1,296 points. Heat Three was taken over by Lada Jienbalanova (KAZ) in a time of 2'19''78 for 1,244 points.
With some solid times already clocked, the final nine swimmers took their blocks for Heat Four. Amelie Caze (FRA) was also one of the favorites heading into the final heat. Her time of 2'14''07 for 1,312 points was faster than the Olympic record time of 2'14'44 she set in Athens. But the race still belonged to Taormina who led from the start.
Russia's Elen Gretchinikova did not start the swimming competition and has withdrawn from the competition due to unknown reasons.
(BOCOG September 16, 2007)