SHANGHAI (AP) — American Jessica Hardy and Therese Alshammar of Sweden tied as the fastest in the preliminaries of the 50-meter freestyle, then Hardy returned to post the quickest time in the 50 breaststroke at the world championships.
Hardy and Alshammar swam next to each other in the same heat Saturday, with both stopping the clock at 24.82 seconds. Alshammar, who turns 34 next month, is seeking her first world title after taking silver two years ago in Rome and in 2007.
Germany’s Britta Steffen didn’t defend her 50 free title after posting slow times in her previous events and dropping out of the meet.
Hardy’s time of 30.20 made her the top qualifier for the 50 breast.
