DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — Hoping to renew his rivalry with Michael Phelps at the London Olympics, Milorad Cavic marked his return to form after back surgery by winning the 100-meter butterfly at the European swimming championships Saturday.
Also, Olympic champion and world-record holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy cruised to victory in the 200 freestyle, and Paul Biedermann won his third gold medal of the meet by leading off for Germany in the 4×200 free relay.
Using his usual technique of a strong first 50, Cavic led by more than half a second at the turn and finished in a championship record 51.45 seconds.
Cavic had surgery to repair a herniated disk in July 2010, and the Serb failed to qualify for any finals at last year’s world championships in Shanghai.
