Austrian swimmer Markus Rogan is poised to shed the label of eternal runner-up.
Having finished second seven times at Olympics and world championships, Rogan led a competitive field in the 100-meter backstroke heats Wednesday at the opening session of the short-course world championships.
"It's about (time) to change that," Rogan said of his two silver medals at the Athens Olympics and five at short- and long-course world championships.
Coming off a 100 and 200 backstroke sweep at the European long-course championships last month, Rogan timed 51.30 seconds over four lengths of the temporary pool inside the M.E.N. Arena. He got off to a slow start but recovered time as the race wore on.
"I wanted to go out fast but it didn't work," said Rogan, who trains in Rome with the Italian team.
Stanislav Donets of Russia was second in 51.35 and Liam Tancock of Britain was third in 51.43.
Tancock became the first British swimmer in 18 years to hold a world record when he established a new mark in the 50 back (long course) at the British Olympic trials in nearby Sheffield last week.
Tancock said he was practicing swimming fast in the heats to prepare for the Olympics, when finals will be held in the morning.
"That is what we need to do in Beijing, so that is what I will continue to do in my buildup to the games," he said.
Overall World Cup champion Randall Bal of the United States, a short-course specialist, qualified fourth.
Ryan Lochte, the American who holds the world record of 49.99, did not qualify for the 100 back at the American short-course trials.
The 100 back semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday evening, with the final Thursday.
Looking to add to his career tally of 16 medals in Olympics and world championships, Massimiliano Rosolino of Italy led the men's 200 freestyle heats in 1:44.81.
David Carry of Britain was second fastest in 1:45.58, exciting the crowd filled mostly with screaming school children.
"I am the first Brit to compete here and I knew it was important to get the crowd up, which I think I did," Carry said. "I think tonight will be a great final and I will be looking to improve my time."
Carry is coming off a disappointing week at the British Olympic trials.
"I wasn't feeling at my best last week and I got beaten twice," Carry said. "I hate losing a race and I don't want it to happen again here."
European short-course champion Filippo Magnini of Italy tied with Alexander Sukhorukov of Russia for third.
Magnini, the two-time long-course world champion in the 100 free, does not put this meet atop his priority list.
"For me, it is not important to win a medal, but I want to perform well anyway," Magnini said.
Australian favorites Kenrick Monk and Kirk Palmer struggled somewhat. Monk qualified in sixth and Palmer was eighth. Both were members of the team that set the world record in the 800 freestyle relay at the Australian national short-course championships last year.
"It's been a while since I've swum short course, so I'll just go back over the video and see what I can change to go faster," Palmer said. "I've been training for long-course. We just had our (Olympic) trials before coming here."
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, who won gold, silver and bronze at the Athens Olympics, led the women's 100 back heats in 58.41. Natalie Coughlin, who has the world record, in 56.51, is not at these championships.
Coventry got back in the pool a half hour later and qualified second in the 400 individual medley in 4:33.54. Hannah Miley led the IM heats in 4:29.83, a week after breaking the European long-course record at the British trials last week.
Top-ranked Alessia Filippi of Italy qualified in seventh in 4:37.87.
"I think (Miley) will break the world record (4:27.83) this evening," said Filippi, who cited fatigue after a month of consecutive racing.
The Dutch team of Robert Lijesen, Bas van Velthoven, Joost Reijns and Mitja Zastrow took the men's 400 freestyle relay heats in 3:10.69. The United States was second and Australia third.
