Verdeur from start to finish

SWIMMING - The men's 200 metres breast-stroke went to the favourite Joe Verdeur of the United States. He beat his own Olympic record that he swam in the heats.

The tall, well-built American was the big favorite for this final. Flaring away from the start, Verdeur was never really challenged by his opponents.

If there was a surprise in the race, it came from Carter, whose last length dash took hem into second place. Sohl completed the all American podium. Although his time was recorded by the timekeepers to be 0.2s slower than John Davies of Australia, the judges believed that Sohl had touched first and awarded him the bronze.

Europe's main challenge in this event rested on the broad shoulders of its champion six-foot-six Roy Romain who, however, failed to qualify for the final. He finished fifth in the first semi-final in one of the closest races of the swimming competition.

The only Europeans that made it to the final were Cerer for Yugoslavia who came in fifth and Bonte for the Netherlands. He came in last and was the only swimmer using the orthodox breast stroke technique.

All athletes who competed in the 200 metres breaststroke